What should have been a landmark summer for Crystal Palace has taken an unexpectedly sour turn.
After clinching their first-ever major trophy by lifting the FA Cup, the club and its fans were dreaming of European adventures.
But instead of preparing for Europa League nights, Palace are being forced into the Conference League due to a controversial ownership rule violation.
Europa League Dreams Dashed Over Ownership Confusion
The root of the issue lies in shared ownership.
John Textor, a minority shareholder in Crystal Palace through his Eagle Football Holdings group, also owns French club Lyon.
Under UEFA’s rules, two clubs with shared ownership can’t both play in the same European competition.
And since Lyon finished sixth in Ligue 1—compared to Palace’s 12th-place finish in the Premier League—they get the Europa League slot.
Even though Textor scrambled to resolve the conflict by trying to sell his shares, it was too late.
The March deadline had already passed, and UEFA’s ruling stood: Crystal Palace would be bumped down to the Conference League.
Chairman Steve Parish Speaks Out with Frustration
Steve Parish, the co-owner and chairman of Crystal Palace, didn’t hold back his feelings.
In a heartfelt interview, he called the ruling “a devastating blow,” not just for the club, but for the integrity of football.
“This is like winning the lottery and being told you can’t cash the ticket,” Parish said on Sky Sports.
“We earned our place. We won a trophy. Our fans deserved this.”
He emphasized that the rules had created a situation Palace couldn’t possibly fix.
“We couldn’t force a minority shareholder to sell or move their shares. That wasn’t in our control,” he explained.
UEFA Rules Leave Little Room for Flexibility
UEFA’s multi-club ownership policy states that when two affiliated clubs qualify for the same competition, only one can take part—the one with the higher league finish.
That meant Lyon, despite a temporary relegation over financial irregularities, held the advantage.
When Lyon’s appeal against relegation was upheld, Palace’s hopes vanished.
Even more frustrating for Palace was the fact that Textor’s 25% voting rights didn’t give him controlling influence at Selhurst Park.
Still, UEFA deemed it enough to trigger the rule.
“We Weren’t a Multi-Club Team” – Parish Insists
Parish was adamant that Palace operate completely independently from Lyon.
“There are no shared players, no staff, no phone numbers exchanged,” he said.
“This rule was never intended for situations like ours.”
He questioned the decision-making panel’s interpretation of the rules.
“We proved that John didn’t have any decisive influence. But still, the verdict went against us. It feels completely unjust.”
The Fans and Club Left Disheartened
Parish expressed deep empathy for the fans who had waited decades to see the club lift silverware.
“This isn’t just a football decision. It crushes the dreams of an entire fanbase,” he said.
“We beat some of the top teams in the country to win that trophy. It wasn’t a fluke. We earned it.”
He called the outcome “one of the greatest injustices European football has seen.”
The Bigger Debate – Should Multi-Club Ownership Be Allowed?
Parish didn’t just criticize the decision—he raised wider questions about the future of European football.
“Either you allow multi-club ownership and work around it, or you ban it completely. You can’t keep punishing clubs like this.”
Though he made it clear he had no desire to see Lyon punished, he urged UEFA to rethink their stance.
“I just want us to be allowed to play them. It would’ve been a great moment. Now, we don’t even get the chance.”
Crystal Palace Could Still Fight Back
Despite the current ruling, Parish hinted that the club isn’t done fighting.
Palace may still appeal the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), which could fast-track the case.
Parish said they’re exploring “all options” and believe it’s still possible for someone at UEFA to step in and correct what he sees as an “absurd technicality.”
Nottingham Forest Set to Benefit from Palace’s Misfortune
While Palace are left reeling, Nottingham Forest could be the unexpected beneficiaries.
As the next-highest team in the Premier League not already qualified, they’re likely to take Palace’s place in the Conference League—if Palace’s appeal doesn’t succeed.
Palace Officials Already Took the Fight to UEFA
This outcome didn’t blindside Palace.
Club executives reportedly traveled to UEFA headquarters in Switzerland last month to present their case and prevent this exact scenario.
Their main argument?
That John Textor’s influence was far too limited to be considered decisive.
Unfortunately, Lyon’s successful appeal against relegation meant UEFA had to act according to their rulebook.
What Happens Next?
Palace fans and officials are still holding onto hope.
A CAS appeal remains a real possibility, and there’s precedent for urgent cases like this to be resolved quickly.
But as things stand, Palace’s historic FA Cup win won’t be rewarded with a Europa League campaign.
Instead, they’re left battling disappointment, bureaucracy, and a rule they feel was never meant to affect them in the first place.