Crystal Palace’s Appeal to CAS for Europa League Reinstatement Denied
Crystal Palace has faced a significant setback as the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has rejected their appeal to be reinstated in the Europa League. The club’s demotion to the Conference League stems from violations of UEFA’s regulations regarding multi-club ownership.
Initially, Crystal Palace earned their spot in the Europa League by defeating Manchester City in the FA Cup final. However, the situation took a turn when club owner John Textor failed to place his shares in a blind trust by the March 1 deadline, leading UEFA to relegate Palace to the Conference League. Textor’s Eagle Holdings held a 43% stake in Crystal Palace while also owning a significant share of Lyon, a French club that finished higher in their domestic league, thus receiving priority for Europa League qualification.
Following the demotion, Palace quickly lodged an appeal with CAS, hoping for a favorable outcome. Unfortunately, the court sided with UEFA, confirming Palace’s exclusion from the Europa League and sealing their fate in the Conference League instead. This decision could have severe financial implications for the south London club, with potential losses estimated at £20 million. The club anticipated higher revenue from participating in the Europa League, which offers greater prize money compared to the Conference League.
This ruling leaves the newly crowned Community Shield winners in a precarious position, as they are unable to engage in the transfer market without clarity on their financial standing. Manager Oliver Glasner, eager to bolster his squad before the transfer window closes, will feel the impact of this ruling keenly.
In a recent 10-hour hearing, Palace chairman Steve Parish passionately argued for the club’s case before three CAS judges in Lausanne. He expressed hope that "common sense" would prevail, especially after Palace’s impressive victory over Premier League champions Liverpool in the Community Shield. "If there’s any justice in the world, it will do," Parish stated, emphasizing the strength of their argument for reinstatement.
With the rejection of their appeal, Palace is now faced with the prospect of potential compensation claims in European courts and may also consider pursuing damages from Textor. The American businessman recently sold his 43% stake in the club to Woody Johnson, owner of the New York Jets, in an attempt to comply with UEFA’s regulations—an effort that ultimately proved futile.
As the dust settles on this disappointing news, supporters and stakeholders alike are left to ponder the future of Crystal Palace as they prepare for the challenges ahead in the Conference League.
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