The world of European football is no stranger to complicated ownership rules, especially when a single investor holds stakes in multiple clubs competing in continental competitions.
This tangled web has caught out plenty of clubs, but some have managed to find a way through.
Now, Crystal Palace finds themselves in that exact predicament — trying to navigate the tricky waters of UEFA’s regulations on multi-club ownership as they aim to play in Europe next season.
The Grey Areas of UEFA’s Rules
Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who owns Manchester United, has dealt with this issue before and always emphasizes one thing: it’s rarely a clear-cut, black-and-white situation.
According to him, it’s “all about influence and positions on the board,” with lots of nuances and “shades of grey.”
That’s exactly the kind of nuance Crystal Palace will be hoping UEFA recognizes when the club and its lawyers meet officials at UEFA’s headquarters in Nyon.
They are looking for that grey area — the wiggle room that could allow them to compete in the European competition despite potential conflicts of interest.
The Ownership Puzzle: Palace and Lyon
On paper, things look tricky for Crystal Palace. John Textor, the American businessman, owns 43% of Palace but also holds the majority stake in Lyon, a French club also involved in European competitions.
If the rules were simply black and white, this shared ownership would clearly be a conflict, potentially barring Palace from competing.
But as with many UEFA decisions, the details and interpretations matter more than the headline.
Palace’s legal team will try to highlight differences and loopholes, hoping UEFA sees things their way.
Past Precedents Offer Some Hope
UEFA’s decisions in similar cases offer some optimism.
For instance, last year, when Sir Jim Ratcliffe restructured his involvement with Nice (another club he has ties to), UEFA approved the changes because no individual was directly involved in the management or sporting decisions of both clubs simultaneously.
This precedent might be Palace’s best chance — arguing that Textor’s actual influence at Selhurst Park is limited, something even Textor himself has been frustrated about in the past.
Other Clubs’ Proactive Moves
Looking around Europe, clubs like Manchester United, Nottingham Forest, and Manchester City anticipated this kind of problem before it became a big issue.
Ratcliffe moved shares into a blind trust to remove direct influence, Nottingham Forest’s owner did something similar recently, and Girona’s directors resigned to avoid conflicts with Manchester City.
Chelsea also tried to preempt issues with their relationship to Strasbourg earlier this year.
Unfortunately for Palace, such moves now might seem too little, too late, and could come off as desperate.
A Frustratingly Flexible Set of Rules
For many fans and observers, UEFA’s ownership rules feel inconsistent.
They’re often described as “strict,” but in reality, they’ve proven to be quite flexible, bending to accommodate big clubs who find ways to sidestep restrictions.
Whenever a club looks like it might get caught, a loophole or workaround often appears.
If Crystal Palace ends up being the first to get firmly caught in this net, it will feel like a harsh lesson — and perhaps a bit unfair.
Why This Matters Beyond Palace
Crystal Palace’s FA Cup win was a huge moment, a feel-good story for English football.
The thought of them being blocked from European competition because of ownership technicalities feels disappointing.
Especially when other, sometimes bigger clubs, have seemingly slipped through without consequence.
What happens next with Palace could set an important precedent.
With multi-club ownership becoming more popular across Europe, UEFA’s decision here could shape the future of football governance.
The Emotional and Practical Stakes
On an emotional level, it’s easy to root for Palace — the underdog club with a historic trophy win.
But from a governance perspective, the question remains: if UEFA doesn’t take a firm stand now, then when will they?
This case is about much more than one club.
It’s a test of how European football handles the increasingly complex world of shared ownership and competition.