Can Crystal Palace Be Kicked Out of the Europa League?
Can Crystal Palace Be Kicked Out of the Europa League?
Crystal Palace is facing the risk of being expelled from the Europa League due to UEFA’s multi-club ownership rules. Here’s why:
Multi-Club Ownership: American businessman John Textor owns 43% of Crystal Palace and has a majority stake in French club Lyon, which also qualified for the Europa League. UEFA prohibits two clubs with overlapping ownership structures from competing in the same European tournament.
Conflict with UEFA Rules: Since Lyon finished higher in their domestic league (6th in Ligue 1) than Crystal Palace (12th in the Premier League), Palace might be the one to face expulsion. If that happens, Nottingham Forest could take Palace’s spot in the Europa League, and Brighton might inherit the Conference League place.
Alternative Solution: Crystal Palace argues that Textor’s influence is limited, owning only 25% of the voting rights, with other owners holding equal shares. They’ll meet with UEFA officials in Switzerland to present their case and potentially find a solution to avoid expulsion.
Potential Consequences: If Palace fails to convince UEFA, they’ll not only miss out on European competition but also face financial losses and difficulties in attracting quality players.