Crystal Palace will compete in the Europa League next season, with the club now operating independently of Olympique Lyonnais and no longer subject to UEFA’s multi-club ownership rules. This confirmation comes after a situation mirroring last season, where Palace initially qualified for the Europa Conference League through their league finish, only to be relegated to the Conference League due to Lyon’s parallel qualification.
Last year, the connection between the two clubs, both formerly under the ownership of John Textor, resulted in Palace being dropped down a competition level despite winning the FA Cup, as Lyon also secured a European place. The club launched legal proceedings at the time to contest the decision, but were ultimately unsuccessful. This season, a similar scenario threatened to unfold, particularly as Lyon could still qualify for the Champions League via play-off matches in August.
However, the situation has been resolved with the separation of ownership structures. John Textor has departed Lyon, ending the multi-club relationship that caused the previous issue. According to reports, this means Palace’s qualification for the Europa League is now secure, and they will not be subject to a demotion based on Lyon’s potential European success. The club confirmed the end of the relationship, alleviating concerns among supporters.
This outcome means both clubs can now compete independently in European competitions, potentially facing each other should Lyon fail to qualify for the Champions League and drop into the Europa League. The resolution avoids a repeat of the controversy from last season, ensuring Palace can benefit directly from their sporting achievements. The situation highlights the increasing scrutiny UEFA is applying to multi-club ownership models, with Nottingham Forest also recently lodging a complaint regarding potential conflicts of interest.
