Crystal Palace Receive Huge UEFA Europa League Boost After John Textor’s Latest Decision | OneFootball

Crystal Palace’s Future in Europe Takes Shape with Major Ownership Shift

Crystal Palace may have just found their European breakthrough, not on the pitch, but in the boardroom. In a move worth over £170 million, John Textor has agreed to sell his 43 per cent stake in the club to Woody Johnson, the American billionaire and owner of the New York Jets.

Palace confirmed the news with a statement: “Crystal Palace Football Club can confirm that Robert Wood Johnson ‘Woody’, an American businessman and co-owner of the New York Jets, has signed a legally binding contract to purchase Eagle Football’s holding in the Club.”

With the Premier League and Women’s Super League still to complete their owners’ and directors’ tests, the club added, “We do not envisage any issues and look forward to welcoming Woody as a partner and director of the club.”

This change could not have come at a more critical time. Palace’s qualification for the 2025–26 Europa League, secured after their stunning FA Cup win over Manchester City, had been cast into doubt by UEFA’s rules on multi-club ownership. Textor’s ties to Lyon, who also qualified for the Europa League, presented a conflict of interest that risked costing Palace their first-ever shot at European competition.

Photo: IMAGO

Why This Matters for UEFA Compliance

Under UEFA rules, no person may have decisive “control or influence” over more than one club in the same competition. While Textor technically only had a 25 per cent voting share at Palace, the optics and structure still drew UEFA scrutiny. Palace even sent a delegation to Switzerland to argue their case.

A significant misstep was failing to place Textor’s shares in a blind trust before UEFA’s deadline. As Standard Sport rightly reported, “The case would not have gone to the CFCB if Textor had placed his shares in Palace into a blind trust.”

That delay could have cost the club dearly, but this sale may reverse the tide. Johnson’s entrance removes the conflict, and with UEFA’s Club Financial Control Body set to make a decision in the next week, optimism is cautiously returning to SE25.

Johnson’s Involvement Signals Ambition

Woody Johnson’s presence at Selhurst Park for the 1-1 draw against Nottingham Forest on May 5 was no mere formality. It was a signal of intent. Though new to football, Johnson brings considerable business experience and financial heft. His investment represents more than just money, it’s a statement that Palace are not content with survival. They’re eyeing growth.

Still, as Standard Sport noted, relationships behind the scenes haven’t always been harmonious. “Parish is the club’s day-to-day decision-maker. Standard Sport understands that he and Textor have not always seen eye to eye.” This suggests that Johnson’s arrival could also usher in a more unified leadership.

A New Era Beckons at Selhurst Park

After years of mid-table finishes and flirtations with relegation, Palace may finally be entering a period of upward mobility. If UEFA greenlights their Europa League place, it won’t just be a celebration for the squad and coaching staff, it’ll be a landmark moment for the club’s identity.

With Oliver Glasner at the helm, a hungry and talented squad in place, and now a potentially stabilised ownership model, Palace fans have every reason to hope that the red and blue stripes will soon be seen on Thursday nights across the continent.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

As a Crystal Palace fan, it’s impossible not to feel both excited and anxious about this news. The dream of seeing Palace in Europe is tangible, but we’ve been let down before. Textor’s ownership, though full of promises, always felt like a temporary marriage of convenience rather than a vision of longevity. He openly admitted wanting full control of another club — hardly the dedication we deserve.

Now with Woody Johnson coming in, questions naturally arise. Does he understand football? Does he care about more than just asset growth? One part of me thinks his money could be transformative, bringing facilities and stability. But the other side worries we’ll become a side project, much like many American-owned clubs where tradition and fan sentiment often play second fiddle to commercialisation.

Also, let’s not pretend the Europa League qualification is a done deal yet. UEFA still has to rule, and the missed blind trust deadline feels like amateur hour. We’ve done so much right on the pitch, winning the FA Cup was a miracle, it’d be devastating for bureaucracy to deny us our reward.

So yes, Johnson’s arrival might be the reset we need. But as a fan, I’ll celebrate when we see those Europa League group stages — not before.