Crystal Palace appeal Europa League banishment to Court of Arbitration for Sport, as 'expected date of verdict is revealed'

8 hours ago 12

By ZAC CAMPBELL

Published: 15:42 BST, 22 July 2025 | Updated: 16:16 BST, 22 July 2025

Crystal Palace have submitted an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) over their demotion from the Europa League to the Conference League. 

The Eagles had looked to be participating in the second tier of European competition after beating Manchester City in the FA Cup final in May to win their first-ever major trophy. 

Their spot in the competition is set to be taken by Premier League rivals Nottingham Forest, who finished seventh last season. 

A final decision is expected by August 11 at the latest, with the Europa League group stage commencing on September 24, according to BBC Sport

Palace are in their current predicament as a result of having failed to show proof of multi-club ownership restructuring prior to UEFA's deadline of March 1 this year. 

Their bid to overturn the decision comes two weeks after they were barred from competing in the Europa League due to rules on multi-club ownership, with American businessman John Textor also being the majority owner of Lyon. 

Crystal Palace have submitted an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) over their demotion from the Europa League having won the FA Cup

Fans protested at Selhurst Park last week after their spot in the competition is set to be taken by Premier League rivals Nottingham Forest

A final decision is expected by August 11 at the latest, with the Europa League group stage commencing on September 24

Mail Sport exclusively revealed last Friday that Palace had been set to demand full disclosure of what they believe are bombshell emails and texts between UEFA and Nottingham Forest – which they believe could ‘prove’ double standards have been applied over their European demotion.

Eagles officials are of the firm view that correspondence exists between the two potentially showing that Forest, unlike Palace, were allowed to extend the March 1 deadline to comply with UEFA’s rules on multi-club ownership. 

Eagles bosses also believe Forest have written to UEFA to express their expectation that Palace should be demoted.

The south London side maintain their belief that they should not be demoted because Textor does not hold an influence big enough at the club to warrant him being considered as a multi-club owner, which UEFA disagrees with. 

Furthermore, Palace say the only communication from UEFA was sent to a generic email address, and that there were no reminders. 

They are not a member of the European Club Association (ECA) and so would not have received the additional guidance from the ECA about the deadline. 

While Forest are not an ECA member, Olympiakos, who are also owned by Evangelos Marinakis, are. 

In April, beyond the original deadline, Marinakis diluted his control of Forest when it looked like both they and Olympiakos could qualify for the Champions League. 

Palace say the only communication from UEFA was sent to a generic email address, and that there were no reminders

They are not a member of the European Club Association (ECA) and so would not have received the additional guidance from the ECA about the deadline

As it transpired, such a move was not necessary as Forest ended the season seventh.

Textor’s company, Eagle Football Holdings, held a 43 per cent stake in Palace, which at the time was more than any other entity. 

It also owns Lyon, who also qualified for the Europa League. Rules state that two clubs owned, to a certain threshold, by the same person cannot compete in the same competition. 

In this instance, because Lyon finished higher in their domestic league than Palace, they took the spot.

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