Crystal Palace will compete in the UEFA Conference League next season after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) dismissed their appeal against UEFA’s decision to exclude them from the Europa League for breaching multi-club ownership rules.
The ruling allows Nottingham Forest, who finished seventh in the Premier League last season, to take Crystal Palace’s place in the Europa League.
Palace had secured Europa League qualification by defeating Manchester City in the FA Cup final, but UEFA ruled against them because businessman John Textor owns shares in the club and is also the majority shareholder in Ligue 1 side Lyon, who likewise qualified for the Europa League.
Last month, the Eagles lodged an appeal with CAS against UEFA, Nottingham Forest, and Lyon.
A statement from CAS read, “The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has dismissed an appeal by Crystal Palace FC (CPFC) against UEFA, Nottingham Forest FC and Olympique Lyonnais (OL) concerning a decision by UEFA to remove CPFC from the UEFA Europa League 2025/2026 due to a breach of UEFA multi club ownership regulations.
“As a result, CPFC will be admitted to compete in the UEFA Conference League 2025/2026.”
As both Lyon and Palace had qualified for the Europa League, the French side retained their spot because they finished higher in their domestic league — Lyon ended sixth in Ligue 1, while Palace placed 12th in the Premier League.
Fresh from winning the Community Shield on Sunday by beating Liverpool in a penalty shootout, Palace will now enter the Conference League qualifying playoff round later this month.
