UEFA again delay ruling on Crystal Palace's Europa League place | OneFootball

Eagles face further agonising wait over European spot next season

UEFA have postponed a decision on whether Crystal Palace will be allowed to compete in the Europa League next season.

FA Cup winners Palace face the threat of expulsion from the Europa League because co-owner John Textor also owns a majority stake in Ligue 1 side Lyon.

Lyon were demoted from the Ligue 1 last week because of the poor finances, throwing their place in the Europa League into doubt.

The French club have appealed against their relegation and UEFA have postponed a decision on whether Palace will play in the Europa League next season.

But UEFA say Lyon have “agreed on an exclusion from the 2025/26 UEFA club competitions should the French authority (DNCG) confirm the club’s relegation to Ligue 2”, which would in theory clear the path for Palace.

A statement read: “The CFCB First Chamber has decided to postpone its assessment of the multi-club ownership case involving Olympique Lyonnais and Crystal Palace.

“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.”

Textor is in the process of selling his stake in Palace to New York Jets owner Woody Johnson, and on Monday resigned from his leadership position on the board of Lyon.

Although Textor has had no day-to-day involvement in the running of Palace, UEFA rules prevent two teams with the same ownership playing in the same competition.