Crystal Palace could be handed major Europa League boost after Lyon relegation decision | OneFootball

Lyon’s sixth-place finish in Ligue 1 could be voided after they were relegated due to serious financial issues

Crystal Palace may be cleared to compete in the Europa League next season after Lyon were relegated to Ligue 2 because of serious financial issues.

The London club’s place in the competition has been under threat, owing to Uefa’s multi-club ownership rules, with Eagle Football Holdings – who have a 43 per cent stake in Palace – also owning Lyon.

The French club had qualified for the Europa League by finishing sixth in Ligue 1, however that could be voided by their demotion, clearing the way for Palace to take up their spot in the competition, unless Lyon can be successful with an appeal.

French football's financial watchdog (DNCG) confirmed the decision on Tuesday following an audit of the club, who failed to convince authorities that their economic woes were resolved.

Lyon were hit with a provisional relegation back in November after racking up massive debts, and although they have since sold a number of first-team players, DNCG upheld the relegation following meetings on Tuesday.

The decision was announced by the French Football League (LFP) on Tuesday evening.

Although Lyon can still appeal against the ruling, the decision to relegate a club that won seven consecutive titles between 2001-02 and 2007-08, and reached the semi-finals of the Champions League as recently as 2020, will send shockwaves through French football.

The club's president John Textor told L'Equipe last week he was confident the club's financial position had been resolved, having said back in November there was "no chance" the club would be relegated.

Textor is in the process of selling his shares in Premier League club Crystal Palace.

A sale to Woody Johnson, owner of the NFL's New York Jets, has been agreed but the Premier League is yet to ratify the deal and Johnson must yet pass the Premier League's owners' and directors' test.

After receiving the provisional relegation last year, Lyon sold the likes of Said Benrahma, Anthony Lopes and Maxence Caqueret in January, and this summer they have already sold Rayan Cherki to Manchester City.