Will Paris’ Trophy Deny Palace European Participation?
Crystal Palace’s Historic Triumph at the FA Cup
Crystal Palace experienced a historic moment last Saturday, capturing their first-ever trophy in club history. A narrow 1-0 victory over Manchester City in the FA Cup final secured them a place in the UEFA Europa League. However, there are now concerns that the Eagles may not participate in the second most prestigious European tournament despite their triumph.
The Implications of PSG’s Victory
The potential complication stems from Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) winning the French Cup against Reims. According to reports from the UK, this situation is influenced by a relatively obscure clause in UEFA’s regulations. The Eagle Football Group, led by John Textor, holds stakes in both Crystal Palace and Olympique Lyonnais. Given that Lyon regularly participates in European competitions, UEFA’s rules state that an owner cannot control more than start club in the same competition if they have majority voting rights or significant influence over both organizations.
Ownership Stakes and UEFA Regulations
Eagle Football Group controls 43% of Crystal Palace and an impressive 88% of Lyon, placing them in a position of clear influence over the French club currently ranked sixth in France, which qualifies for the Europa Conference League. The victory of PSG in the French Cup means that the Europa League spot typically awarded to the French cup winner may transfer to another team, likely Lyon.
Possible Outcomes for Crystal Palace
If UEFA finds evidence that Textor has significant control over both clubs, Crystal Palace could be disqualified from the Europa League and relegated to the Conference League. The deciding factor is that Lyon finished higher on the domestic table compared to Palace, placing them in a favorable position should any disqualification occur.
This unfolding situation has significant ramifications for Crystal Palace, who are now facing uncertainty regarding their European ambitions despite their remarkable achievement on the domestic front. As the governing body evaluates ownership influences, the fate of the Eagles in European competition remains precariously balanced