Crystal Palace relegated to Conference League due to dual ownership issue

According to UEFA Club Financial Control Body (CFCB) ruling, Crystal Palace must step down from Europa League to Conference League — the Premier League club was found to have too close ownership ties with Lyon.

The issue arose because John Textor, majority owner of Eagle Football Holdings, controls 77% of Lyon and 43.9% of Palace shares — UEFA regulations prohibit dual ownership above 30% for clubs competing in the same tournament.

Nottingham Forest will replace Palace’s position in Europa League, while Palace must play in Conference League qualifying round — this decision may still change depending on appeal results to Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

Previously there were two similar cases this season:

• Drogheda United was excluded from Conference League due to ownership conflict with Silkeborg IF
• Gyori ETO replaced FC DAC 1904 Dunajska Streda in Conference League

“MCO rules state that if two clubs violate regulations, the club with higher league ranking gets to play in European competition,” explained UEFA’s official statement.