Despite being set to play for Crystal Palace in their Europa Conference League play-off, Eberechi Eze will remain eligible to feature in the Champions League for Arsenal this season due to a specific clause in UEFA’s regulations.
With Eberechi Eze’s monumental move to Arsenal all but confirmed, one pressing logistical question has emerged for fans: will his expected appearance for Crystal Palace in Europe tonight jeopardize his eligibility for the Gunners’ Champions League campaign?
The short answer, thankfully for Mikel Arteta, is a resounding no.
As expertly clarified by The Standard in the UK, UEFA regulations contain a crucial exception that directly applies to this situation. The rulebook states that a player can represent two different clubs in UEFA competitions in the same season, but only under specific circumstances.
The key distinction lies between the qualifying/play-off rounds and the main league phase of a tournament. A player who appears for one club in any qualifying or play-off round for any of UEFA’s top three competitions remains fully eligible to then represent a different club starting from the league phase of another European competition.
Therefore, because Crystal Palace’s clash with Fredrikstad is a play-off match for the Europa Conference League, Eze’s participation will not cup-tie him. He would be free to play for Arsenal in the Champions League group stage and beyond.
This provides a clear path for both player and club. As Palace manager Oliver Glasner confirmed, Eze is committed to playing, stating, “They are committed to the team. The player gives 100 per cent because he is under contract.”
However, the rule has a caveat. Had Eze already played for Palace in the Conference League group stage, he would be locked to them for the entire season in UEFA competitions. But with this play-off match falling safely within the permitted exception, Arsenal’s new game-changer is set to be unleashed on Europe’s biggest stage.