Crystal Palace Lose Europa League Appeal, Play Conference League 2025-26

Crystal Palace will compete in the Conference League for the 2025-26 season after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) upheld UEFA's decision to demote them from the Europa League due to a breach of multi-club ownership rules. The club qualified for the Europa League by winning the FA Cup, but American businessman John Textor's simultaneous ownership stakes in both Palace and Lyon—who also qualified for the Europa League—violated UEFA regulations prohibiting clubs under the same ownership from competing in the same tournament. Despite Palace's appeal and arguments regarding deadlines and Textor's level of influence, CAS ruled that Textor had decisive influence over both clubs at the critical assessment date, and that UEFA's regulations allowed no flexibility for non-compliance. Textor sold his stake in Palace to New York Jets owner Woody Johnson after the March 1 deadline, but the timing was too late to affect the ruling. Nottingham Forest will take Palace's place in the Europa League, while Palace must start in the Conference League qualifying playoffs. The case highlights the strict enforcement of UEFA's multi-club ownership rules and the challenges clubs face in complying with these regulations amid complex ownership structures.