Crystal Palace has officially filed an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) after being dropped from the 2025/26 UEFA Europa League. The Eagles were moved to the UEFA Conference League due to ownership conflicts involving majority shareholder John Textor, who also holds a stake in French side Lyon another club competing in the same European tournament.
UEFA regulations prohibit two clubs under the same ownership from playing in the same European competition. As a result, despite finishing outside the Premier League’s top ten last season, Palace had to give way to Lyon, who ended their campaign in sixth place in Ligue 1.
Textor claims he has since sold his stake in Lyon to fellow American businessman Woody Johnson, in an effort to resolve the conflict of interest. Nonetheless, UEFA awarded Palace’s Europa League spot to Nottingham Forest, who were initially set to participate in the Conference League.
Unhappy with the decision, Palace submitted their appeal to CAS on Tuesday, July 22, 2025.
A final ruling is expected by or before August 11 just a week ahead of the Conference League play-off draw, scheduled for August 18. The play-off matches themselves will take place on August 21 and 28.
If CAS rules in Palace’s favor, they will be reinstated in the Europa League group stage, which begins on September 24, while Nottingham Forest would return to the Conference League. If the appeal is denied, Palace will compete in the Conference League play-offs as currently scheduled.
This isn't the first time UEFA has had to navigate shared ownership complications. Last season, both Girona and Manchester City owned by the City Football Group played in the Champions League, while Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s clubs, Nice and Manchester United, competed in the Europa League.
