Crystal Palace release statement after demotion from Europa League to Conference League confirmed by UEFA | OneFootball

FA Cup winners are expected to appeal controversial decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport

Crystal Palace have been demoted to the Conference League for next season, UEFA have ruled.

Nottingham Forest are set to take Palace’s place in the Europa League for 2025/26, having finished seventh in the Premier League last season.

The decision stems from Eagle Football Holdings owner John Textor’s involvement in Crystal Palace and French club Lyon, who both qualified for the Europa League last season.

UEFA rules state that clubs owned, to a certain threshold of influence, by the same person or entity cannot compete in the same European competition in the same season.

Palace argued that Textor, who has since agreed to sell his 43 per cent stake in the club to New York Jets owner Woody Johnson, did not have decisive influence at Selhurst Park, but UEFA have not accepted their defence.

The club hit out at the decision in a statement.

It read: “Crystal Palace F.C. are extremely dismayed by UEFA’s decision to exclude the club from the Europa League. It’s clear for everyone to see that we are not part of a multi-club operation and never have been.

“Further with the completion of the sale of Eagle football’s shareholding to Woody Johnson there will be zero possibility of a conflict of interest once the competition begins.

“We will continue to press our case and work with UEFA to achieve the fair and just outcome so that we may take our rightful place in the Europa League, as well as taking legal advice to consider our options, including an appeal to the Court for Arbitration for Sport (CAS).”

Earlier this week, Lyon were successful in their appeal against the decision to relegate them to Ligue 2 following financial problems.

Had that decision been upheld, Palace would likely have been permitted to play in the Europa League next season as the French side had agreed to forfeit their place in the competition if they were relegated.

Lyon, though, will now take up their place in the Europa League due to having a higher league position than Palace - they finished sixth in Ligue 1 last season compared to the Eagles, who came 12th in the Premier League.

Palace will likely appeal the controversial decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), in accordance with UEFA Statutes.

"The present decision may be appealed against before the Court of Arbitration for Sport, in accordance with Articles 62 and 63 of the UEFA Statutes," read a statement from European football's governing body.