Crystal Palace Demoted from Europa League over Multi-Club Ownership Breach

Crystal Palace has strongly criticized UEFA and the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) after being demoted from the Europa League to the Conference League due to a breach of multi-club ownership (MCO) rules involving shared ownership with French club Lyon. Despite winning the FA Cup and earning Europa League qualification, Palace was penalized because American businessman John Textor held significant stakes and influence in both clubs, though he has since sold his shares in Palace. The club condemned the rulings as a ‘‘terrible injustice’’ and argued that they ‘‘render sporting merit meaningless,’’ accusing UEFA of unevenly applying rules and allowing other clubs with informal ownership arrangements to compete without sanction. Palace also expressed frustration over the appeals process, suggesting it was nearly impossible to receive a fair hearing, and vowed to explore all legal options while preparing to compete in the Conference League with determination. The decision has sparked broader concerns about the fairness and transparency of UEFA's MCO regulations and their impact on clubs striving to progress in European competitions. Crystal Palace's statement emphasized the negative effect of these rulings on their supporters and questioned the privileges held by certain clubs and individuals within European football governance.