Crystal Palace’s long-awaited European debut hangs in the balance, with UEFA set to rule on their eligibility for the Europa League due to multi-club ownership links with Lyon. A decision is expected by Friday as Palace hope the recent sale of John Textor’s stake and Lyon’s shock relegation will clear the path.
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UEFA to decide Palace's Europa League fate on FridayTextor sells 43% stake amid multi-club rule concernsLyon’s relegation could help Palace avoid UEFA sanctionsFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
Crystal Palace earned a historic place in next season’s Europa League after winning the FA Cup, but UEFA has since launched an investigation into whether the club has breached multi-club ownership rules. The concern stems from Textor’s 43% stake in Palace while also holding a majority share in Lyon, which also qualified for the Europa League. On Monday, Palace announced that Textor had agreed to sell his stake to New York Jets owner Woody Johnson.
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UEFA’s multi-club ownership regulations are designed to prevent conflicts of interest, barring two linked clubs from competing in the same European competition. Palace argue that Textor does not exert significant control, while Lyon’s recent relegation to Ligue 2 may render them ineligible for Europe anyway, potentially resolving the conflict. Nevertheless, the situation has forced UEFA to examine Palace’s ownership structure more closely before giving the green light, as per the BBC.
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UEFA is taking no chances with ownership entanglements after facing growing scrutiny over the integrity of European competitions. While Textor’s sale to Woody Johnson is said to be legally binding, the timing is crucial. UEFA must determine whether the sale was completed in time to satisfy compliance requirements. Textor’s broader influence across multiple clubs, including Botafogo and RWD Molenbeek, has also come under the microscope during the process.
GettyWHAT NEXT FOR CRYSTAL PALACE?
UEFA’s executive body is scheduled to meet on Friday, with a formal announcement on Crystal Palace’s eligibility expected shortly after. If the ruling goes against the Eagles, they could be barred from the Europa League, with their place going to the next eligible Premier League club. However, optimism remains within Oliver Glasner's camp that Textor’s sale and Lyon’s relegation will tip the decision in their favour, potentially clearing the way for a historic European campaign after their FA Cup win.
