How John Textor ultimately ‘helped’ Crystal Palace win a first European crown | OneFootball

Crystal Palace won the Europa Conference League on Wednesday, after UEFA reassigned them amid the John Textor multi-ownership case.

According to L'Équipe, Palace had initially qualified for the Europa League by winning the FA Cup in 2025, but were moved into the third-tier competition instead.

UEFA judged that Textor, through Eagle Football, still held decisive influence at both Palace and Olympique Lyonnais. As both had qualified for the Europa League, the rules favoured the club higher in its domestic table. Lyon, sixth in Ligue 1, kept their place, while Palace, twelfth in the Premier League, were reallocated.

The club appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport but lost. The court upheld UEFA’s stance, finding that Textor still had sufficient influence at the deadline set by the governing body.

The decision was badly received at Selhurst Park. Palace said sporting merit had been rendered insignificant and maintained it had earned the right to play in the Europa League by winning the FA Cup.

Jean-Philippe Mateta’s goal defeated Rayo Vallecano 1-0, delivering the club’s first European trophy. It came only months after lifting the Community Shield.

Source: L'Équipe