Crystal Palace’s Bid for Europa League Entry
Crystal Palace is preparing to present its case to UEFA in hopes of securing a spot in next season’s Europa League. The club’s ability to compete in the tournament hangs in the balance due to UEFA’s regulations concerning multi-club ownership.
Meeting with UEFA Officials
On Tuesday afternoon, the club’s principal partners—John Textor, Chairman Steve Parish, Josh Harris, and David Blitzer—are scheduled to meet with UEFA officials to address issues stemming from their connections to both Palace and French club Lyon. Textor’s Eagle Football, which holds an 88% stake in Lyon and a 43% stake in Palace, complicates matters since Lyon also secured qualification for UEFA competitions.
Ownership Regulations
This situation was precipitated by a ruling from UEFA with a deadline that passed on March 1, concerning ownership issues across clubs participating in European competitions. According to UEFA’s guidelines, entities cannot simultaneously exert influence over multiple clubs engaged in its competitions.
However, Crystal Palace earned the right to compete in Europe by clinching their first FA Cup title, marking their inaugural venture into European football. Eberechi Eze‘s decisive goal against Manchester City in the final last May etched this achievement in the club’s history.
Lyon’s Position and UEFA’s Stipulations
Meanwhile, Lyon’s sixth-place finish in Ligue 1 qualified them for the UEFA Conference League, although they have since been granted a Europa League slot after Paris Saint-Germain won the Coupe de France, having already qualified for the Champions League. This means Lyon’s position remains secure, while Palace’s desired entry is under dispute.
“UEFA firmly states that any club participating in its tournaments cannot directly or indirectly hold stakes in another club competing for the same title, nor can any individual or entity manage or influence more than one club involved in UEFA events.”
This creates a precarious situation for Palace’s ownership structure, given that each of the general partners has an equal stake in the voting rights at the club.
Potential Consequences and Future Prospects
Last year, changes to UEFA’s regulations suggested that if Palace’s ambitions for the Europa League were thwarted, they might still have a chance to compete in the lower-tier European competitions. However, Blitzer’s investment in Denmark’s Brøndby complicates that possibility as well, since Brøndby qualified for the Conference League.
Should Crystal Palace be barred from entering European competitions altogether, Nottingham Forest could be elevated to the Europa League following their seventh-place finish, while Brighton & Hove Albion may also seek entry into the Conference League after finishing eighth in the standings. With Palace ranking twelfth, they face a significant challenge under UEFA’s stipulations, while Lyon’s standing grants them preferential access to European football.
As these discussions unfold, the club remains hopeful for a favorable resolution that would allow them to make their debut in European competitions next season.
