What should have been a season of celebration for Crystal Palace has turned into a wave of frustration and fury.
After their historic FA Cup win, Palace fans were eagerly anticipating a well-earned spot in the Europa League.
Instead, they’ve found themselves watching that dream snatched away—and they’re not staying quiet about it.
Streets Turn Red With Flares and Fury
On Tuesday night, Selhurst Park wasn’t just a football stadium—it became the center of a protest.
Hundreds of outraged fans marched through the streets of South London, waving flags, setting off red flares, and chanting their anger.
Their loudest message? “F*** UEFA.”
Banners reading “UEFA. Morally bankrupt.
Revoke the ruling now.” were proudly displayed.
Some supporters even spray-painted “UEFA mafia” onto the side of the stadium, capturing just how betrayed they felt by the decision.
Palace’s European Dream Shattered by Technicality
So what exactly went wrong? The heart of the issue lies with UEFA’s multi-club ownership rules.
Palace’s then-majority stakeholder, John Textor, also had a controlling interest in French side Lyon, who coincidentally also qualified for the Europa League.
According to UEFA regulations, when two clubs owned by the same individual make it into the same European competition, only the higher-placed team in their domestic league can compete.
Since Lyon finished sixth in Ligue 1 and Palace only managed 12th in the Premier League, the spot went to Lyon.
Too Little, Too Late from the Club’s Ownership
In a bid to fix the situation, Textor sold his 43% stake in Palace for £190 million—but that sale came after UEFA’s March 1 deadline for ownership separation.
Palace’s argument? They couldn’t have predicted they’d be in Europe back in February, when they were still waiting to play Millwall in the FA Cup last 16.
Their incredible run saw them defeat Millwall, Fulham, Aston Villa, and even Manchester City to lift their first major trophy—but it wasn’t enough to overcome administrative red tape.
Chairman Steve Parish Slams UEFA Ruling
Club chairman Steve Parish hasn’t minced words.
Speaking to Sky Sports, he called the decision a “terrible injustice” and “a bad day for football.”
He insisted that Palace doesn’t operate as part of a multi-club setup and said the rule was never meant to apply to a situation like theirs.
“We don’t share staff, resources, or strategy,” Parish stressed.
“John [Textor] had no influence on the day-to-day running of our club.”
He also revealed that UEFA’s communication on the rule change was badly mishandled.
The only notification they reportedly received was sent to a generic club email—info@cpfc.co.uk—which went unnoticed until it was too late.
Fans Take Their Fight to the Highest Level
The club isn’t giving up just yet. Crystal Palace is taking the matter to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, hoping to reverse what many see as an unjust technicality. Their chances may be slim, but the fans and the board are standing united in their belief that this wasn’t how the story was meant to end.
Who Benefits from Palace’s Misfortune?
In a frustrating twist, Nottingham Forest, who finished below Palace in Premier League standings but earned a Conference League spot, now appear set to move up into the Europa League.
It’s an added sting for Eagles supporters who feel they earned their place fair and square—on the pitch.
One Win, One Huge Loss
After a fairytale cup run and a historic FA Cup win, Crystal Palace should be preparing for European nights under the lights.
Instead, they’re watching someone else take their place because of a rule they argue was never designed to affect them.
Whether their appeal will succeed remains to be seen—but the message from the red smoke and angry chants outside Selhurst Park is already crystal clear: Palace fans won’t forget this.