Crystal Palace should be gearing up for their Europa League campaign this summer.
Instead, the club is preparing for a legal showdown that could redefine their European season.
A controversial ruling by UEFA has left Palace frustrated, and now, they’re taking their fight to the highest court in sport.
The Demotion That Sparked the Storm
Last month, Palace were unexpectedly dropped from the Europa League to the less prestigious Conference League.
The reason? UEFA ruled that the club had violated regulations on multi-club ownership, citing a conflict of interest due to their ties with French club Lyon.
That decision bumped Nottingham Forest up to the Europa League in Palace’s place—and the South London side wasn’t going to take it lying down.
Heading to CAS for a Final Verdict
Now, the battle is moving to Switzerland. The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has scheduled Palace’s appeal hearing for next Friday, August 8.
The verdict is expected just a few days later on Monday, August 11—leaving very little time before the new European season begins.
Why Palace Believe the Decision Was Unfair
Palace are not just appealing their own demotion.
They’re also challenging UEFA’s decision to include both Nottingham Forest and Lyon in the Europa League. Their argument hinges on ownership links.
Lyon, who finished higher in Ligue 1, are owned by American businessman John Textor.
He also had a 43% stake in Palace through Eagle Football Holdings.
But Palace claim that this stake didn’t give Textor actual control.
They say his company held just 25% of the voting rights—far below what would allow him to influence decisions.
That’s an important distinction in UEFA’s rules.
The Forest Factor and Claims of Double Standards
Palace are also pointing fingers at what they believe is inconsistent treatment.
According to their legal team, Nottingham Forest were given more time to untangle any ownership issues related to their Greek sister club Olympiakos, owned by Evangelos Marinakis.
In fact, Marinakis placed Forest in a blind trust on April 29—well after UEFA’s March 1 compliance deadline.
Palace argue they were held to a stricter standard, and they want access to UEFA’s internal documents to prove it.
What UEFA Had to Say About the Ownership Links
UEFA’s panel sided with the view that the overlapping ownership between Lyon and Palace breached competition rules. The key issue?
Both clubs were set to play in the same European tournament.
Since Lyon ranked higher domestically, Palace were dropped.
Textor has since sold his Palace stake to fellow American Woody Johnson, but that move came too late to change UEFA’s stance.
Palace, however, believe that even while he was involved, Textor never actually had the power UEFA claimed.
Legal Teams Prepare for Swiss Showdown
Adding more heat to the drama, Nottingham Forest are not just watching from the sidelines.
Officials from Forest will be sending their own legal representatives to the CAS hearing, defending their spot in the Europa League and ensuring their interests are protected.
A Race Against the Clock
The stakes couldn’t be higher. The draw for the Conference League play-offs—which is where Palace currently sit—will be held next Monday.
The first leg of that tie kicks off on August 21.
So now, all eyes turn to CAS, where a ruling could flip the script on Palace’s European summer—or confirm one of the club’s most frustrating demotions in recent history.
