Crystal Palace fans were riding high after the club’s historic FA Cup win over Manchester City.
That dramatic 1-0 victory not only brought silverware to Selhurst Park but also opened the door to European football — a first in the club’s history.
The anticipation of seeing Palace on the European stage was electric.
But just as the celebrations began to cool, a new challenge emerged that threatened to snatch that dream away.
Ownership Complications Create Trouble
The issue? UEFA’s strict rules around multi-club ownership.
Eagle Football Holdings owns a significant stake — 43 percent — in Crystal Palace.
The same group also owns Lyon, a French club that qualified for the Europa League by finishing sixth in Ligue 1.
Meanwhile, Palace ended the Premier League season in 12th but secured European qualification through their FA Cup triumph.
According to UEFA’s regulations, clubs owned by the same entity can’t compete in the same European tournament — and Lyon’s higher league finish puts them in the driver’s seat.
A Last-Minute Ownership Shuffle
In a desperate bid to keep Palace in the Europa League, Eagle Football’s main figure, John Textor, is working on selling his Palace shares.
The proposed buyer? Woody Johnson, who owns the NFL’s New York Jets.
Palace officials have even traveled to UEFA’s headquarters in Switzerland for what’s been described as a high-stakes meeting.
A final decision on the matter was expected before the month ends, but the tension remains thick.
Lyon’s Relegation: A Potential Lifeline
Hope sparked in south London earlier this week when Lyon was unexpectedly relegated from Ligue 1 following a financial audit by the French football watchdog, DNCG.
The demotion was linked to financial irregularities, and suddenly, insiders at Crystal Palace began to believe the tables had turned.
From their perspective, a relegated club shouldn’t be given priority in European competition over a team that just lifted a major trophy and isn’t financially compromised.
But Lyon Fires Back with a UEFA Deal
Unfortunately for Palace, Lyon doesn’t appear to be going down without a fight.
In fact, they’ve made a strong move to secure their spot in the Europa League.
On Friday, Lyon announced that they had reached an agreement with UEFA’s financial control board, confirming their financial eligibility — even though they are appealing their relegation.
Their statement expressed gratitude to UEFA and left little doubt that they see themselves as strong contenders to keep their European place.
Palace Still Holding Out Hope
Despite the Lyon announcement, Crystal Palace remains optimistic.
They argue that the clubs don’t share players, facilities, or even staff — meaning their situations are separate enough to warrant an exception.
There’s also the emotional and sporting argument: Palace earned their place by beating Manchester City in a cup final, while Lyon is battling financial scrutiny and demotion.
Big Names Facing Second-Tier Football
If Lyon’s relegation is upheld, it could mean some big-name stars will be playing in France’s second division next season.
The squad includes former Premier League players like Nemanja Matic, Ainsley Maitland-Niles, and Alexandre Lacazette.
That would be a major fall for a club that once dominated French football, winning seven consecutive Ligue 1 titles — the last coming in 2008.
What Comes Next?
Now, everything hangs on UEFA’s final call.
Will they rule in favor of Crystal Palace’s fairytale run into Europe?
Or will Lyon’s higher finish and UEFA agreement tip the scales in their favor?
One thing is certain: both clubs are fighting hard for that Europa League spot — and time is running out.
Stay tuned.