Overview
- On July 9, UEFA’s Club Financial Control Body ruled that Crystal Palace must drop into the Europa Conference League qualifiers instead of the Europa League.
- The decision stems from John Textor’s 43.9 percent stake in Palace alongside his 77 percent holding at Lyon and a share sale to Woody Johnson that closed after the March 1 deadline.
- Palace secured Europa League football by winning the 2025 FA Cup but now face reduced prize money and tougher competition in the Conference League.
- Crystal Palace have lodged plans to appeal the demotion at the Court of Arbitration for Sport in hopes of reclaiming their Europa League spot.
- Nottingham Forest stands to inherit Palace’s Europa League berth if the CAS appeal is rejected, as UEFA enforces its 30 percent multi-club ownership threshold for a third case this season.