Crystal Palace to Compete in UEFA Conference League Following CAS Ruling
Crystal Palace’s hopes of playing in next season’s Europa League have been dashed after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) rejected their appeal against UEFA’s decision. The ruling confirms that Palace will now compete in the UEFA Conference League for the 2025/2026 season.
The controversy stems from UEFA’s multi-club ownership rules. Palace and French club Olympique Lyonnais found themselves caught up in the regulations due to shared ownership links.
The Eagle Football Group holds a majority stake in Lyon, while John Textor, Palace’s chairman, controls the English club. UEFA ruled this was a breach and initially allowed Lyon to stay in the Europa League, pushing Palace down to the Conference League.
In a statement, CAS declared: “The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has dismissed an appeal by Crystal Palace FC (CPFC) against UEFA, Nottingham Forest FC and Olympique Lyonnais (OL) concerning a decision by UEFA to remove CPFC from the UEFA Europa League 2025/2026 due to a breach of UEFA multi club ownership regulations.
As a result, CPFC will be admitted to compete in the UEFA Conference League 2025/2026.”
This outcome is a setback for Crystal Palace, who had been eager to prove themselves on Europe’s second-tier stage. Instead, their European journey next season will begin in the Conference League, UEFA’s third-tier competition.
The ruling highlights the strict enforcement of ownership rules in European football, designed to prevent conflicts of interest and maintain fair competition.
Crystal Palace fans will now focus on supporting their team in this new challenge and hoping the Eagles soar higher in European football’s evolving landscape.
