Fan protests, letter from MPs and CAS appeal: The efforts being made to reinstate Crystal Palace in the Europa League | OneFootball

Crystal Palace fans, politicians and the club themselves are all vying to to overturn UEFA’s decision to remove them from the Europa League and demote them to the Conference League.

Palace fans united together in protest on Tuesday evening following their club’s expulsion from the Europa League due to UEFA’s multi-club ownership rules.

Supporters made their voices heard as they marched towards Selhurst Park, led by fan group the Holmesdale Fanatics, wearing club colours, chanting and carrying signs in defiance of UEFA’s ruling.

A delegation of fans are expected to carry on the protests over in Nyon, where UEFA’s headquarters are based.

Palace were banned from the competition after being found to be in breach of UEFA’s multi-club ownership rules, as co-owner John Textor has a stake in the club while also having significant investment in French outfit Lyon, who qualified for the same tournament.

Textor is, however, in the process of selling his stake in Palace to New York Jets owner Woody Johnson, though that did not influence UEFA in their decision making.

UEFA states that clubs owned by the same person or entity cannot compete in the same European competition. Preference in any case is given to the team which finished higher in their league, which is Lyon.

As a result, Nottingham Forest, who qualified for the Conference League, will take Palace’s Europa League spot, while the Eagles are demoted to the Conference League.

Steve Parish, co-owner and chairman of Crystal Palace, told Sky Sports last week that the ruling was a “gross injustice”.

He added on the Rest of Football podcast: “We’ll go to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). We are very hopeful. We think we have got great legal arguments. We don’t think this is the right decision by any means. We know unequivocally that John did not have decisive influence over the club.”

A recent ruling against Slovakian side FC DAC 1904 in a similar situation offers little cause for optimism, however. CAS dismissed their appeal after they were removed from the Conference League for similar reasons.

MPs from constituencies in south London, meanwhile, have written a letter to Lisa Nandy, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, calling for government intervention in response to Palace’s demotion.

Bobby Dean, MP for Carshalton and Wallington, told Hayters.com: “On FA Cup final day, my constituency was covered in Crystal Palace flags, and the club earned the right to play in Europe.

“Constituents may not forgive me for being a lifelong Spurs fan. But I know how much this matters to people and I’m determined to stand up for fans.

“Right now, those that follow their clubs through thick and thin are being let down by an off-the-pitch ruling that feels rushed and unfair.

“We want the government to support our calls to UEFA to re-examine the decision and ensure that supporters are properly represented in how the game is governed.”