By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
FA Cup champions Crystal Palace have been demoted from the Europa League and will now play in the Conference League next season following a ruling by UEFA.
The governing body had been evaluating whether the FA Cup winners should be kicked out because American shareholder John Textor is the majority owner of Lyon, the French side also qualified for the Europa League.
Uefa said the Eagles could appeal its ruling with the Court of Arbitration for Sport and Palace are set to do so.
The rules of European football’s governing body state that clubs owned, to a certain threshold of influence, by the same person or entity cannot compete in the same European competition.
Textor, who owns 43 per cent of Palace, had reiterated on Thursday that he never held direct influence over the club, insisting that he can prove he has never made “management decisions” at Selhurst Park, but Uefa have not accepted the his explanation.
Uefa’s rules set a deadline of 1 March 2025 to show proof of multi-club ownership restructuring – a deadline which Palace missed.
Lyon, who also qualified for next season’s Europa League, take precedence over Palace because of their higher league position.
Palace’s relegation had been expected since Tuesday, when Lyon succeeded in their appeal against relegation from Ligue 1 for financial reasons. To satisfy that appeal Textor has stepped aside from operational control at the club.