Palace in limbo as ownership conflict threatens European adventure | OneFootball

Crystal Palace’s European Dream Threatened as John Textor Moves to Sell Stake

Ownership conflict overshadows on-pitch triumph

In a season where Crystal Palace achieved the seemingly improbable — lifting their first FA Cup and earning a place in Europe — their hard-won success now hangs precariously in the balance. As reported by The Daily Mail, co-owner John Textor has confirmed he is trying to sell his stake in the club in a bid to ensure Palace are not ejected from European competition before their campaign even begins.

Photo by IMAGO

Textor, who owns a 43 per cent share in the south London side, is also the principal owner of Ligue 1 club Lyon. With both clubs having qualified for European competition — Lyon for the Europa League and Palace through their FA Cup triumph — UEFA’s strict multi-club ownership rules have been triggered. The regulation, designed to preserve the integrity of continental tournaments, may bar Palace from participating, as Lyon hold the superior league finish.

Textor, speaking after a two-hour hearing with UEFA officials in Geneva, was candid. “Look, all of the UK knows that I don’t have decisive influence over Palace. It was a good meeting. They listened and we’ll see what happens. I wouldn’t be trying to sell (this stake) if I did.”

Complex web of ownership raises difficult questions

The ownership issue is further complicated by the presence of other stakeholders with vested interests in multiple clubs. David Blitzer, another Palace shareholder, is also involved with Danish side Brondby, who finished third in their domestic league and could also feature in the Europa Conference League.

Photo IMAGO

It raises the scenario of three clubs — Palace, Lyon, and Brondby — all intertwined through overlapping ownerships and vying for two UEFA competition spots. Under UEFA rules, the club with the higher domestic finish — in this case, Lyon — has precedence.

One potential, though contentious, avenue being explored is whether Palace’s qualification via the FA Cup and into a higher-tier competition (the Europa League) could supersede Brondby’s place in the Conference League. That would, in theory, allow Palace to remain in Europe, but it could come at the expense of the Danish club — another unwanted layer of complexity.

Leadership tensions and PR optics

While Textor’s transparency about the situation was striking, Palace chairman Steve Parish’s silence was telling. Described by The Daily Mail as projecting a “haughty demeanour”, Parish refused to speak to reporters, leaving the hearing in Geneva without comment.

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There are strong suggestions of behind-the-scenes friction. Textor has previously expressed frustration with the limitations of his stake, which gives him just 25 per cent of voting rights despite his financial input. His earlier ambition to increase his control has now reversed; instead, he is attempting to offload his holding in what appears to be a pragmatic move to preserve the club’s European status.

“Look, we’re trying to help separate it and sell,” Textor said. “We wanted to buy but it’s become clear that isn’t going to happen and so we’re trying to help Palace and the situation with UEFA. That’s about all I can say.”

Deadline looms ahead of UEFA decision

The timing could not be more pressing. UEFA is expected to announce its decision before the Europa Conference League qualifying draw on 17 June. Lawyers are now reviewing the situation and the club’s presentation in Geneva is hoped to have swung the argument in Palace’s favour.

Palace officials were initially confident that a solution would be reached. Whether that confidence was well-placed remains to be seen. But what is clear is that the ownership model that has become increasingly common in modern football is now colliding head-first with the regulatory limits of the European game.

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For Palace fans, what should be a summer of celebration has turned into a time of confusion, frustration, and rising anxiety. The euphoria of beating Manchester City at Wembley and earning a place in Europe — the kind of moment supporters dream of — is being eroded by boardroom entanglements and regulatory ambiguity.

Photo IMAGO

There is a fear, and a justifiable one, that this could all unravel because of decisions made above the manager’s head and beyond the reach of the dressing room. No Palace fan wants to see the team sacrificed because of cross-ownership complications they had no hand in. The idea that another club, like Brighton or Nottingham Forest, could be elevated at Palace’s expense would feel like a punch in the gut after one of the most memorable seasons in the club’s history.

Supporters have every right to ask hard questions of those who run their club. Why was this risk allowed to grow unchecked? And if selling is now the solution, why wasn’t it pursued months ago?

UEFA may yet offer a reprieve. But the damage to trust between fans and the board may prove harder to undo.