July 31, (THEWILL) — The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) will hear Crystal Palace’s appeal against their demotion from the Europa League on August 8. UEFA’s Club Financial Control Body ruled that Palace must drop to the third-tier Conference League due to multi-club ownership conflicts involving Eagle Football Group, which holds stakes in both Palace and Olympique Lyonnais. Lyon, however, retained their Europa League place despite the shared ownership links.
Palace qualified for the Europa League by winning the 2024/2025 FA Cup, while Lyon earned their spot by finishing sixth in Ligue 1. The dispute arose after Eagle Football Group chairman John Textor, who holds a controlling stake in Palace, resigned from Lyon’s board. Michele Kang has since taken over as chairwoman, but UEFA maintained its ruling, prompting Palace to challenge the decision.
Nottingham Forest, who placed seventh in the English Premier League, stand to replace Palace in the Europa League if the appeal fails. Forest were initially set for UEFA Conference League qualification but could benefit from the outcome of the case. The hearing will be held behind closed doors, with a verdict expected by August 11, three days after the proceedings.
The case hinges on UEFA’s regulations regarding dual ownership, which aim to prevent conflicts of interest in European competitions. While Lyon avoided sanctions due to their higher league finish, Palace argue their FA Cup victory should supersede the ownership concerns. The outcome could set a precedent for future multi-club ownership disputes in UEFA competitions.
CAS has not indicated which way it might rule, but the decision will have immediate implications for Palace, Forest, and Lyon’s European campaigns. All three clubs are preparing for the new season, with UEFA’s group stage draws scheduled for late August. The ruling will determine whether Palace compete in the Europa League or Conference League, while Forest await a potential promotion.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
