With every passing moment, the uncertainty deepens, leaving the entire club and its supporters holding their breath in anticipation of the verdict that could define their European future.
UEFA has decided to postpone their meeting, which was scheduled to determine whether Crystal Palace will secure a spot in next season’s Europa League.
Eagles defeated Manchester City 1-0 in the FA Cup final, a victory that made them believe they had secured a spot in the Europa League but their chances of playing in the tournament hit a hurdle due to UEFA’s strict multi-club ownership rules. These rules say that a person cannot have control over two clubs in the same European competition.
Businessman John Textor owns a majority stake in French club Lyon and also holds a 43% share in Crystal Palace through his company, Eagle Football Holdings. Textor has agreed to sell his stake in Palace to fellow American investor Woody Johnson.
The deal now awaits approval from both the Premier League and the Women’s Super League. Textor has never had full control over Palace decisions. Voting power at the club is split evenly between Textor, chairman Steve Parish, and co-owners Josh Harris and David Blitzer, with Parish running the club’s day-to-day operations.
In a statement released by UEFA, they said that the organisation needs time to talk and make a decision that is right for all parties and added that they have already reached an agreement with Lyon that will exclude them in the 2025/2026 competition.
“The CFCB (club financial control body) first chamber has decided to postpone its assessment of the multi-club ownership case involving Olympique Lyonnais and Crystal Palace.
“This postponement relates to Olympique Lyonnais’ compliance with the settlement agreement concluded with the CFCB first chamber for its breach of the financial sustainability requirements.
“As part of this settlement, Olympique Lyonnais agreed on an exclusion from the 2025/26 UEFA club competitions should the French authority (DNCG) confirm the club’s relegation to Ligue 2.
“Further details on this multi-club ownership case and this settlement agreement will be communicated in due course.”
