Big boost for Crystal Palace as they can get back into Europa League after emergence of email by ECA | OneFootball

Crystal Palace have received a big boost in their hopes to get back into the Europa League by the emergence of an email sent by the European Club Association (ECA) last year.

According to the Telegraph, the ECA informed numerous multi-club groups in October that the March 1 deadline is flexible, and would allow outstanding issues to be resolved until May 31.

Palace were demoted to the Europa Conference League because they did not resolve multi-club ownership issues by the deadline.

However, the rules appear to be more flexible than UEFA has been stating, giving them hope of being reinstated to the Europa League.

The club insist the deadline has only been applied strictly to them. Other clubs, including Chelsea, Barcelona and Aston Villa, have negotiated fines for rule breaches as recently as this month.

Palace supporters recently staged a protest march outside Selhurst Park against UEFA’s decision to ban the club from the second-tier competition.

American businessman John Textor owns a stake in Palace and French club Lyon. They also qualified for the Europa League.

UEFA’s rules prohibit clubs owned by the same person or entity from competing in the same European tournament to protect competition integrity.

Textor is currently in the process of selling his stake in the Eagles to New York Jets owner Woody Johnson.