Forest Challenge Palace’s Europa League Eligibility
Nottingham Forest have formally written to UEFA, questioning Crystal Palace’s right to compete in next season’s Europa League.
On Monday, 9 June, the English side raised their concerns regarding American businessman John Textor, who owns significant stakes in both Palace and French club Lyon – another team that has qualified for the same competition.
UEFA ownership regulations prohibit individuals from exerting control over multiple clubs in the same European tournament, and Forest argue that Palace may be in breach of this rule.
The south London club secured Europa League qualification by winning the FA Cup, while Lyon finished sixth in Ligue 1. Under UEFA guidelines, the club with the higher domestic finish – in this case, Lyon – takes precedence.
Textor and Palace chairman Steve Parish recently met UEFA officials to make their case, but are reported to have failed to secure a resolution. A proposal to transfer Textor’s shares into a blind trust was dismissed due to a missed compliance deadline.
Forest, currently on course for the Europa Conference League, could move up to the Europa League if Palace are excluded. Owner Evangelos Marinakis had pre-emptively transferred his own Forest shares into a blind trust earlier in the season to comply with similar rules, strengthening the club’s case.
UEFA’s final decision is expected in the coming weeks.
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