A Premier League club is facing exclusion from European competitions next season, and its situation appears to be extremely difficult and complicated.
UEFA prohibits two clubs owned by the same management from participating in a new European competition, which puts Crystal Palace in a real predicament and could deprive them of their first-ever European competition.
The London club qualified for the Europa League after winning the FA Cup, defeating Manchester City 1-0 in the final at Wembley Stadium.
The Crystal Palace Crisis and UEFA
Crystal Palace is majority-owned by American investor John Textor, who also owns French club Lyon, which finished sixth in Ligue 1 and secured a Europa League spot.
To resolve this impasse, Textor sold Crystal Palace and reached an agreement with American billionaire Woody Johnson. However, the deal has not yet been officially completed, pending Premier League approval.
What is the reason for Lyon’s decision to relegate to the French second division?
If the deal fails, Crystal Palace will face formal exclusion from the Europa League, except in one case: Lyon’s relegation to Ligue 2 is confirmed.
UEFA confirmed that Lyon reached a settlement that would see it eliminated from European competitions if its relegation is confirmed, potentially opening the door for Crystal Palace to participate in Europe.
๐จ๐ซ๐ท ๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ | Lyon have agreed to being excluded from the 2025/26 UEFA Europa League, should their relegation to Ligue 2 be fully confirmed. ๐ช๐บโ
UEFA have also postponed it’s assessment of the multi-club ownership case involving Lyon and Crystal Palace. pic.twitter.com/QCPWChO698
โ EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) June 30, 2025
Developments in Crystal Palace’s Europa League Participation
UEFA announced in an official statement that it has postponed the decision on Crystal Palace’s participation in the Europa League indefinitely.
According to English media, UEFA is awaiting the outcome of the Lyon case and the Premier League’s decision to accept Johnson’s transfer of ownership of Crystal Palace before making a final decision within a month and a half.
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The Europa League is scheduled to begin next September, with Crystal Palace starting their continental campaign. However, the fate of the Europa League must be decided before the draw is held in the second half of August.
Who will replace Crystal Palace in the Europa League?
Another English club will qualify for the Europa League if Crystal Palace is disqualified. In this case, last season’s Premier League standings will be used to determine the qualifier.
Nottingham Forest will be the second English club in the Europa League, finishing seventh in the Premier League, alongside sixth-placed Aston Villa. Brighton will then play in the Europa Conference League.
