FA Cup and Community Shield holders, Crystal Palace, are seeking further legal options after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) upheld UEFA’s decision to demote them from the Europa League to the Conference League for violating the governing body’s multi-club ownership rules, Afrosport reports.
The South London club were in breach of the rules as John Textor, who owns the Eagle Football Group, was majority owner of Palace and Olympique Lyon, who are also participating in the Europa League.
Though Textor sold his stake in Palace last month to New York Jets owner Woody Johnson, it was beyond the March 1 deadline set by UEFA to prove multi-club ownership restructuring.
The Eagles have accepted their fate to play in the Conference League while Nottingham Forest will take their spot in the Europa League
“The decision by UEFA and followed by the Court of Arbitration for Sport shows that sporting merit is rendered meaningless,” read a club statement.
“It appears that certain clubs, organisations and individuals have a unique privilege and power … while we respect the CAS tribunal members, the process is designed to severely restrict and, in our case, make it almost impossible to receive a fair hearing.
“UEFA’s decision has wider implications for the governance of the sport. A combination of poorly conceived regulations and their unequal application means our brilliant fans will be deprived of the chance to watch this team compete in the Europa League for the first time in our history.”
The statement went further: “UEFA must fulfil its mandate to pass coherent rules which are properly communicated and applied, with reasonable cure periods to resolve uncertainty and consistent sanctions, treating all clubs equally with a proper appeal process.
“The European Court of Justice has made it clear that rulings similar to this will be under greater scrutiny from national courts in future. Only then will fairness and due process be granted to every team.
“Although we continue to take legal advice on the next steps, we will compete in the Conference League with the same determination and will to win that characterises this incredible club.”
At a time when we should be celebrating our victory in the Community Shield at Wembley, the decision by UEFA and followed by the Court of Arbitration for Sport shows that sporting merit is rendered meaningless.
Full statement 👇#CPFC
— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) August 12, 2025
Meanwhile, Premier League champions Liverpool are reportedly preparing a bid for Palace Captain Marc Guehi, whose contract runs out next summer.
Tottenham Hotspur are also reportedly interested in singing influential Palace midfielder Eberechi Eze following the departure of Son Heung-Min to Los Angeles FC.
