Crystal Palace’s Conference League win will not alter Sunderland’s Europa League route | OneFootball

Crystal Palace’s Conference League triumph does not change Sunderland’s qualification for next season’s Europa League. Sunderland Echo reports that the Black Cats’ route remains exactly the same.

Palace qualify for the Europa League as winners of a UEFA competition, so they join Sunderland in the tournament. Sunderland secured their place through the Premier League, the two pathways are separate.

Régis Le Bris’ side finished seventh after a historic final-day win over Chelsea at the Stadium of Light. They climbed into that position as Brentford and Brighton failed to win elsewhere. That finish secured Europa League football.

Palace’s success does not push Sunderland into the Conference League, nor does it force extra qualifying rounds or additional matches. Their route into the competition is unchanged.

Under the usual UEFA draw restrictions, clubs from the same association are kept apart in the league phase, so Sunderland and Palace would not be expected to meet then. A tie could only arise later if both progress. Sunderland are set for their first European campaign since 1973-74.

Source: Sunderland Echo