After drawing 2-2 and winning on penalties against Liverpool in the Community Shield, Crystal Palace’s celebrations quickly turned into frustration and anger. The Court of Arbitration for Sport (TAS) ruled against the London club, meaning they will not participate in the UEFA Europa League, a spot they had earned by defeating Manchester City in the FA Cup final.
The decision comes after the governing body determined that Crystal Palace violated UEFA’s multi-club ownership regulations. This situation mirrors the recent case involving León in the FIFA Club World Cup, where the Mexican side was removed from the competition due to its affiliation with Pachuca under the same ownership group.
A familiar name is at the center of the controversy — John Textor. The American businessman previously held a stake in Crystal Palace as well as in Olympique Lyon, a club also competing in the Europa League. While Textor officially sold his shares in the English club in early July, UEFA ruled that the move came too late, as the deadline for resolving such conflicts was set for March 1.
“It is evident that Eagle Football Holdings, owned by John Textor, held shares in both clubs at the time UEFA evaluated the case. The regulations are clear and do not allow flexibility for clubs that fail to comply by the evaluation date,” stated the tribunal in its official explanation.
Nottingham Forest takes the spot
As a result of the ruling, Nottingham Forest, who finished seventh in the Premier League last season, will take Crystal Palace’s place in the Europa League. This decision marks a major shift in England’s representation in the tournament. Nottingham Forest will now join Aston Villa as the nation’s two Europa League entrants for the 2025/26 campaign.
see also
Is Rodrygo leaving Real Madrid? Two European giants reportedly join Liverpool in race for Brazilian star
For Palace, the outcome is a devastating blow, as their FA Cup triumph had been a historic achievement for the club and its supporters. Instead of competing on the European stage, they will now have to focus entirely on domestic competitions and the Premier League.
Impact on the season ahead
This ruling not only changes the dynamics for Palace but also provides a massive opportunity for Nottingham Forest, who now have the chance to test themselves against Europe’s top clubs. Meanwhile, questions remain over UEFA’s strict enforcement of the multi-ownership rules, which have now impacted high-profile cases across both European and global competitions.
For Oliver Glasner’s Crystal Palace, the summer has shifted from one of triumph to one of disappointment, with the club missing out on what could have been one of the most exciting European adventures in its history.
