UEFA has addressed the report that Crystal Palace will be disqualified from next season’s Europa League.
Softfootball reports that following a historic FA Cup final win over Manchester City in May, Crystal Palace secured a spot in the 2025/26 Europa League for the first time in the club’s history.
However, Crystal Palace fans’ dreams of a European tour had to be put on ice, as the threat of UEFA’s multi-club ownership rules put their qualification in limbo.
That’s because Palace co-owner John Textor also co-owns French side Lyon, whose sixth-place Ligue 1 finish meant they too had qualified for the Europa League, with UEFA rules preventing teams under the same ownership from competing in the same European competitions.
And now, UEFA has spoken out to give a massive update on Palace’s potential participation in the Europa League and revealed how Lyon’s relegation could have an impact.
In an official statement, the European governing body confirmed that the decision on whether Crystal Palace will play in the Europa League has been temporarily postponed after Lyon agreed to a new deal.
It says that the French side has agreed to be excluded from Europe next season if they are relegated over financial issues – something which is yet to be finalised as Lyon undergo a challenge of the official decision.
The statement states: “Finally, the CFCB First Chamber has decided to postpone its assessment of the multi-club ownership case involving Olympique Lyonnais and Crystal Palace.
“This postponement relates to Olympique Lyonnais’ compliance with the settlement agreement concluded with the CFCB First Chamber for its breach of the financial sustainability requirements.
“As part of this settlement, Olympique Lyonnais agreed on an exclusion from the 2025/26 UEFA club competitions should the French authority (DNCG) confirm the club’s relegation to Ligue 2.
“Further details on this multi-club ownership case and this settlement agreement will be communicated in due course.”
Recall that Softfootball earlier reported that Crystal Palace are to sell Guehi and Eze amid growing interest from Premier League giants.
The Eagles, having impressed in the Premier League this season and reached the FA Cup final for just the third time in their history, are bracing for bids for several key players. Captain Marc Guehi, midfielder Adam Wharton, attacker Eberechi Eze, and striker Jean-Philippe Mateta have all attracted significant interest from top clubs in recent months
