Why Is Crystal Palace Demoted From Europa League To Conference League? Full Story Explained originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
After a brilliant 2024-25 season, Crystal Palace’s qualification to the UEFA Europa League for next season has been stripped away. Palace have been demoted to the UEFA Conference League for next season.
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Crystal Palace finished 12th in the Premier League, but finished qualified to the Europa League next season as they won the FA Cup. Palace defeated Manchester City in the FA Cup final on May 17.
Yesterday, UEFA announced that Palace has been demoted to the Conference League due to multi-club ownership rules, and the Premier League club is set to appeal the decision. John Textor, an American businessman with ownership at Palace, also holds shares at Olympique Lyonnais (Lyon), which qualified for the Europa League next season.
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Lyon finishing higher in their league (6th in Ligue 1) puts them ahead of Palace (12th in PL) in securing their spot in the Europa League. The issue started as soon as Crystal Palace won the FA Cup in May.
How did Crystal Palace face issues with Europa League qualification?
After the FA Cup win, Palace’s owner John Textor was too late in sorting out the ownership structure involving shares at Palace and Lyon in order for both clubs to play in the Europa League.
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According to Sky Sports, March 1 was the deadline for Textor to sort out the ownership structure and put his shares in Palace in a blind trust. He didn’t do it as Palace was not expected to win the FA Cup or qualify for the Europa League earlier this season.
Nottingham Forest, who finished 7th in the Premier League last season, secured the Conference League spot. The Times reported that Forest contacted UEFA to express concerns about Palace playing in the Europa League, knowing that Textor owns stakes at Lyon and Crystal Palace.
Nottingham Forest reportedly pointed out to UEFA about its regulations on one person having ‘decisive’ influence in two clubs in the same competition. Palace reportedly told UEFA that Steve Parish, co-owner and chairman of Crystal Palace, has more influence at the club.
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As of now, Nottingham Forest will be playing in the Europa League while Crystal Palace will be demoted to the Conference League. Palace will take this appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
Reactions to Crystal Palace being demoted
Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish gave his first reaction to Crystal Palace being demoted to the Conference League despite qualifying for the Europa League.
In an interview with Sky Sports, Parish mentions how the decision that doesn’t favor his club should be across the world of football.
Steve Parish: “You win a cup, actually win something for the first time in your history. Somebody said to me it’s like winning the lottery, going to the counter, and you don’t get the prize. I think most right-minded football fans will see what a terrible injustice this is for the football club, one that I dearly hope somebody can remedy because I do believe that nobody in football wants to see this.”
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Crystal Palace owners and directors held an emergency meeting in New York last night to discuss next steps after the club was demoted to the Conference League.
Meanwhile, Nottingham Forest fans acknowledge the unfairness of the decision, but do realize it is a great opportunity for their club next season.
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 12, 2025, where it first appeared.