Crystal Palace lose Europa League spot due to shared ownership with Olympique Lyon | OneFootball

Crystal Palace have officially been dumped out of the 2025/26 Europa League following a high-profile dispute over multi-club ownership regulations, UEFA have announced.

The decision follows UEFA’s investigation into the club’s ownership structure, particularly the involvement of American businessman John Textor, who also holds a significant stake in French club Olympique Lyon.

Textor’s Eagle Football Holdings owned 43 percent of Crystal Palace and a controlling interest in Lyon.

Both clubs qualified for the 2025/26 Europa League, Palace by winning the FA Cup and Lyon through their Ligue 1 finish.

UEFA prohibits two clubs under the same ‘decisive influence’ from competing in the same European tournament to protect competition integrity.

The key date for compliance was March 1, before Textor’s planned sale of his Palace shares could be completed.

Lyon’s successful appeal against administrative relegation meant they retained their Europa League spot, directly impacting Palace’s eligibility to take part.

After weeks of uncertainty and legal wrangling, UEFA ruled that Crystal Palace’s ownership situation breached its multi-club regulations.

Despite Palace’s arguments that Textor did not exert decisive influence at Selhurst Park, UEFA determined that the club did not meet the eligibility criteria by the required deadline.

Palace have been demoted to the Europa Conference League, marking their first-ever participation in European football at this level.

Nottingham Forest, who finished seventh last season, will take Palace’s spot in the Europa League and join Aston Villa as the two English clubs in the tournament.

Palace are expected to appeal the decision at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.