Crystal Palace could be demoted to the Conference League if Lyon win UEFA appeal | OneFootball

Crystal Palace are still in the dark regarding whether or not they will be playing in the Europa League next season.

UEFA has delayed a final ruling (via The Times) as they await the outcome of Olympique Lyon’s appeal against relegation from the French Ligue 1.

The situation has been complicated by multi-club ownership rules, with American businessman John Textor at the heart of it all.

Textor’s Eagle Football Holdings owns 43% of Palace and also holds majority control of Lyon.

Under UEFA’s rules, clubs owned by the same entity can’t compete in the same European competition to avoid conflicts of interest.

Lyon’s relegation from Ligue 1 would naturally close the case as they wouldn’t be able to participate in Europe’s second-tier tournament from the lower league.

However, the French club are determined to fight the verdict and have appealed to keep their place in the French top flight. That has thrown the Europa League situation into uncertainty.

If Lyon win their appeal and remain in the top flight, they could keep their place in the Europa League, which means Palace would likely be bumped down to the Europa Conference League.

That would have a knock-on effect on Nottingham Forest, who are next in line for a Europa League spot if Palace are relegated to the third tier of European competition.

The Tricky Trees finished seventh in the Premier League after punching above their weight throughout the season and will be hoping for a favourable UEFA ruling.

Textor has tried to navigate the conflict of interest by selling his stake in Palace to New York Jets owner Woody Johnson and has also stepped down from Lyon’s board.

However, he missed UEFA’s March 1 deadline to make these ownership changes, so these last-gasp adjustments may be too late to influence the final decision.

UEFA’s Club Financial Control Body said it would postpone any verdict until there’s a verdict on Lyon’s relegation appeal.

The French football watchdog DNCG is expected to hear Lyon’s case on Friday, but there’s no telling when they’d make a final decision on the club’s future.