The Premier League club now has only one option left — to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
“Two clubs owned by the same entity cannot compete in a single UEFA competition.” That’s the rule set by European football’s governing body, and under that regulation, Crystal Palace has been dropped from the Europa League.
UEFA confirmed the decision in an official statement on Friday. Palace still has the right to appeal this ruling to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Crystal Palace had earned a spot in the Europa League by defeating Manchester City to win the FA Cup last season. But with their disqualification, seventh-placed Nottingham Forest from the last Premier League season could now take their place in Europe’s second-tier competition.
The issue lies in shared ownership. Crystal Palace and French club Olympique Lyon both have stakes held by American businessman John Textor’s company, Eagle Football Holdings. According to UEFA rules, clubs with shared ownership or influence from the same individual or entity cannot participate in the same UEFA competition.
UEFA had set a March 1 deadline for clubs to prove there was no breach of the multiple-club ownership rule. Palace failed to present sufficient evidence by then.
Palace did claim that John Textor has no influence over decision-making at the club. But UEFA wasn’t convinced.
As a result, Lyon, who finished sixth in the French league and have a stronger league position, remain in the Europa League, while 10th-placed Premier League side Crystal Palace miss out.
