Crystal Palace Faces Europa League Eligibility Uncertainty Over Multi-Club Ownership

Crystal Palace's historic qualification for next season's UEFA Europa League through their FA Cup victory is overshadowed by potential eligibility issues due to multi-club ownership rules. Owner John Textor's Eagle Football group holds a significant stake in both Palace and French club Lyon, which could also qualify for the Europa League depending on the outcome of the French Cup final. UEFA regulations prohibit an individual from having controlling influence over multiple clubs competing in the same European competition, with the deadline to resolve such conflicts having passed. Palace argue there is no breach, citing Textor's limited voting rights and lack of operational control at Palace, and remain confident they will be cleared to compete. UEFA's Club Financial Control Body is expected to review the case once Lyon's qualification is confirmed, with the possibility that Palace could be demoted to the Europa Conference League if found in violation. Similar multi-club ownership conflicts have previously led to measures such as transferring ownership stakes into blind trusts to comply with UEFA rules.