Evening Standard
·10 July 2025
John Textor aims dig at Steve Parish as Crystal Palace wait on UEFA fate: 'Ask the guy driving the Ferrari'

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Yahoo sportsEvening Standard
·10 July 2025
Textor hits out at a perceived lack of ambition at Selhurst Park as UEFA prepare to deliver Europa League ruling
Outgoing Crystal Palace co-owner John Textor has criticised chairman Steve Parish for what he calls a lack of ambition at Selhurst Park.
Textor is in the process of selling his 43 per cent stake in Palace to New York Jets owner Woody Johnson as the club fight to play in the Europa League next season.
American businessman Textor has been frustrated at not being able to buy a majority stake in Palace, and has claimed the Eagles would have the “ambition to climb the table” if he had been able to increase his influence.
Parish has overseen the most successful period in Palace history in his 15 years at the south London club, culminating in their FA Cup triumph last season.
On the way out: John Textor has agreed to sell his stake in Crystal Palace
AFP via Getty Images
But Textor has aimed a parting shot at Parish, telling TalkSport: “I think his ambition every year is to avoid relegation. Our ambition is to climb the table.”
FA Cup winners Palace are facing the threat of expulsion from the Europa League next season because Textor also owns a majority stake in Ligue 1 side Lyon.
Textor has no day-to-day involvement in the running of Palace but UEFA rules prevent two teams with the same ownership playing in the same competition.
Lyon’s successful appeal against their relegation from Ligue 1 means they will play in the Europa League next season and that could affect Palace.
Asked where the blame lies for Palace's potential expulsion from the Europa League, Textor said: “Ask the guy that drives the red Ferrari.
Crystal Palace qualified for the Europa League by winning the FA Cup
AP
“I never want to be the man. Ask the guy that drives the red Ferrari that. I'm not that guy.
“I don't wake up wanting to be the man. But I do love the family of Eagle Football. I think collaboration between clubs and communities is a good thing. Otherwise, we're just watching petro clubs win everything."
As UEFA prepare to deliver their ruling on whether Palace can play in the Europa League next season, Textor insists he never had a decisive influence at Selhurst Park.
That point is crucial to Palace’s fight to play in the Europa League next season.
Textor said: “He [Parish] involves us, but he doesn't really listen to us. A suggestion from time to time is not the same as decisive influence.”
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