Crystal Palace’s fairytale return to European football has turned into a nightmare. Just weeks after securing a historic place in the UEFA Europa League, the Eagles have been demoted to the Europa Conference League—sparking outrage, confusion, and a war of words between the club and European football’s governing body.
In an emotional and exclusive interview with Sky Sports News, Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish didn’t hold back, calling UEFA’s decision “one of the greatest injustices in the history of European football.”
What Happened?
Palace had earned their spot in the Europa League after a thrilling FA Cup win—one of the biggest achievements in the club’s 164-year history. But on Friday, UEFA ruled that due to a breach of its multi-club ownership rules, Palace could no longer participate in the competition.
At the center of the controversy is businessman John Textor, who held minority shares in Crystal Palace and also owns a stake in French club Lyon, who qualified for the same European tournament after being reinstated to Ligue 1. According to UEFA’s regulations, two clubs under the influence of the same ownership group cannot compete in the same European competition.
Palace were, therefore, dropped to the Conference League to make room for Lyon.
Parish’s Passionate Rebuttal
Steve Parish was visibly distraught during his interview. “We’re devastated—for the players, the fans, the staff. This is a bad day for football,” he said. “This is like winning the lottery, going to the counter, and being told you can’t collect your prize.”
He argued that Palace were never truly part of a multi-club group, stating that Textor’s shares were minority and non-controlling. “There were no shared players, no shared staff, no transactions between Palace and Lyon. Everyone knows this,” Parish added. “We got caught in a tripwire. A crazy rule applied in the most unjust way.”
UEFA’s Rule Under Scrutiny
The situation has raised serious questions about the validity and fairness of UEFA’s multi-club ownership regulations. Parish noted that many licensing and financial rules in UEFA allow flexibility and resolution beyond specific deadlines—but in this case, Palace were penalized for an issue they had no power to fix.
“The rule required a minority shareholder to either sell or place his shares in trust by March 1,” Parish explained. “We had no power to force that. How can a club be punished for something it physically couldn’t control?”
The Forest Factor
In a heartfelt appeal, Parish also spoke about Nottingham Forest, the club that could potentially benefit from Palace’s misfortune by taking their Europa League place.
“Forest are a fantastic club with a similar story to ours. I don’t believe they’d want to take our place like this,” he said. “Many Forest fans have reached out in support. They understand the pain.”
A Plea for Intervention
Palace have vowed to appeal the ruling, but Parish hopes for a quicker, more compassionate resolution. He called on UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin to intervene directly.
“There’s still time to do the right thing,” he said. “UEFA stands at a crossroads: either uphold a flawed rule or correct what is clearly a terrible mistake.”
Ownership Change Could Sway Outcome
In a significant development, New York Jets owner Woody Johnson has received Premier League approval to purchase Eagle Football Holdings’ 43% stake in Crystal Palace from John Textor. The £190 million deal would completely sever Textor’s ties with Palace, potentially eliminating the conflict UEFA based their decision on.
With this change imminent, Palace argue that there’s even less justification for their demotion.
Final Thoughts
Crystal Palace’s Europa League journey may have hit a bureaucratic wall, but their fight is far from over. As appeals are launched and ownership shifts take place, fans, pundits, and clubs across Europe are watching closely.
For Palace, this isn’t just about football—it’s about fairness, principle, and ensuring no club is ever punished for chasing their dreams.
