Crystal Palace’s appeal to regain their spot in the 2025–26 UEFA Europa League will be heard by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on August 8, 2025, in a closed-door arbitration session held in Lausanne, Switzerland.
The dispute originates from a UEFA ruling announced on July 11, 2025, by the organization’s Club Financial Control Body (CFCB), which enforced the multi-club ownership regulation. The rule bars clubs with the same controlling owner from participating in the same European competition. At the time, John Textor—then owner of the Eagle Football Group—held significant stakes in both Crystal Palace and Olympique Lyonnais. Despite Lyon finishing sixth in Ligue 1 and Palace winning the FA Cup, UEFA allowed Lyon into the Europa League and relegated crystal to the Europa Conference League for violating the rule.
Crystal Palace quickly lodged an appeal with CAS. Since then, Textor has divested his shares in the English club, with Woody Johnson acquiring his 43% stake. Meanwhile, Textor resigned from Lyon’s board, replaced by Michele Kang as chairwoman—actions Palace argue remove any conflict of interest and uphold their eligibility for Europe’s second-tier competition.
Should crystal’s appeal be rejected, Nottingham Forest, who finished seventh in the Premier League, will retain the Europa League place allocated after UEFA’s decision. If Palace succeeds, UEFA may be compelled to reinstate them—potentially displacing either Forest or Lyon from the group stage.
The CAS verdict is expected by August 11, though no official ruling will follow immediately post‑hearing. That date falls one day after Palace play the Community Shield against Liverpool as FA Cup winners.
Background & Stakes
- Qualification pathway: crystal earned Europa League entry via the FA Cup. Lyon qualified through their league finish, placing sixth in Ligue 1. UEFA cited their higher standing and interpreted Textor’s involvement in both clubs as breaching regulations effective on March 1, 2025. Textor’s subsequent exit from Lyon after the deadline was deemed insufficient by UEFA.
- Palace’s defence: Chairman Steve Parish has publicly firmed Palace’s commitment to the appeal, calling the situation “a moral injustice” and asserting they have compelling legal grounds, insisting Textor never held “decisive influence” over their club.
- Logistical urgency: CAS designated this as a formal in-person arbitration, underscoring the complexity and significance of the case. The timing is critical due to imminent draw schedules for European competition play-offs and group stages
Possible Outcomes & Implications
- Successful appeal: Crystal Palace could regain their Europa League spot. UEFA might then need to reconfigure the tournament lineup, potentially removing Nottingham Forest or Lyon based on legal interpretation.
- Appeal dismissed: Palace will compete in the Europa Conference League, while Forest retains their Europa League berth. UEFA’s ruling would remain upheld, and qualification logistics would proceed as currently planned.
- Precedent setting: CAS’ decision may redefine how multi-club ownership cases are handled going forward, particularly regarding timelines and the assessment of “decisive influence.”
Timeline at a Glance
| Key Date | Event |
|---|---|
| August 8, 2025 | CAS hearing scheduled in Lausanne |
| August 11, 2025 | Verdict expected (not during hearing) |
Crystal Palace supporters and club officials await a high-stakes ruling that could change the contours of their European campaign next season. The outcome, expected soon after the hearing, will have significant consequences not only for Palace and Forest, but for UEFA’s approach to enforcement of multi-club ownership rules.
