Chris Richards says Palace ‘just have to go and tear up’ the Conference League | OneFootball

Crystal Palace defender Chris Richards says that the club have to turn their attention to the Conference League after being banished from the Europa League due to infringing on UEFA’s multi-club ownership rules.

Palace will still play in Europe this upcoming season but it will not be in the competition they earned the right to be in. Dean Henderson spoke of how not allowing the club to play in the Europa League ‘devalues’ the FA Cup, which they won last season after beating Manchester City.

After beating Liverpool to lift the Community Shield, Richards said: “It’s tough because we won the FA Cup but were all of a sudden relegated to the Conference League. Regardless we just have to go and tear that competition up. First time Europe has come to Selhurst Park so hopefully we can make it memorable.”

Oliver Glasner’s side have been embroiled in this dispute over John Textor holding significant influence over both Crystal Palace and French side Lyon through Eagle Football Holdings. UEFA ruled Palace ineligible for the Europa League, awarding the spot to Lyon, who finished higher domestically.

The Eagles have to now focus on other things, and beating Liverpool to lift a trophy was a positive start to the new season.

Richards said: “It was a good day, a tough game. Some of us still have some pre-season legs but overall it was a positive day. They were Champions for a reason. They’ve added some really strong players this summer. It was a tough game but at the end of the day we won and that’s all that matters.”

The future of Palace captain Marc Guehi and a proposed move to Liverpool has been discussed at great lengths in recent weeks, but Richards wants the England international to stay in south London.

“Marc’s been captain for three or four years now and we’re the same age so that means a lot. We’ve always voted for him to be captain. He’s a good person off the field and on the field as well. We love Marc.”