UEFA have already decided what team would replace Crystal Palace if they were banned from Europe as latest plan ‘rejected’
Crystal Palace’s qualification for the 2025/26 UEFA Europa League is now hanging by a thread, as reports have emerged that the club may be disqualified due to a breach of UEFA’s strict multi-club ownership regulations. In the latest twist, UEFA has reportedly decided which club would take Palace’s place should the South London side be barred from European competition—and it appears Nottingham Forest are the primary beneficiaries.
Earlier this week, concerns surfaced over a potential conflict of interest involving Palace’s ownership. The focal point of the issue is American businessman John Textor, who holds approximately 43 percent of shares in Crystal Palace. Textor is also a major shareholder in French club Olympique Lyonnais (Lyon), who have also qualified for European competition. This overlap violates UEFA’s multi-club ownership rules, which are designed to preserve the integrity and fairness of European tournaments.
UEFA’s regulations explicitly state that no individual or entity can have influence—either directly or indirectly—over the management, administration, or sporting performance of more than one club in a UEFA competition in the same season. The intent is to prevent any potential conflicts of interest that could undermine the competitive integrity of the tournaments, including the Champions League, Europa League, and Europa Conference League.
Initial speculation suggested that Palace might be demoted to the Europa Conference League as a workaround. However, that option has also hit a regulatory roadblock. David Blitzer, who is the majority shareholder at Palace, is also heavily involved with Danish club Brøndby IF—another side expected to compete in Europe next season. This dual involvement again conflicts with UEFA’s rules, effectively blocking Palace from entering any UEFA competition under the current ownership structure.
In a recent interview with The Mail, Textor indicated he was willing to sell his stake in Palace if that was what it took to keep the club eligible for European football. He and Blitzer also made a joint effort to place their shares in a blind trust, hoping to mirror arrangements previously used by clubs like Manchester City and Manchester United to navigate similar regulatory issues.
However, The Guardian reported on June 5 that UEFA has rejected this proposal. The European governing body reportedly turned down the idea of a blind trust on the grounds that the submission was late—missing the mandatory March 1 deadline for ownership changes affecting European eligibility.
The rejection now leaves Palace with little recourse, and unless an unexpected solution emerges, the club is on the verge of exclusion from European competition altogether next season. This setback would be especially disheartening after a strong domestic campaign that saw them lift the FA Cup and secure a Europa League spot under new manager Oliver Glasner.
With Palace likely to be ruled out, UEFA has already begun preparations for their replacement. According to the latest reports, Nottingham Forest, who were initially set to compete in the Europa Conference League, would be promoted to the Europa League instead. Meanwhile, Brighton & Hove Albion—who finished eighth in the Premier League—would then take Forest’s place in the Conference League.
The final decision is expected to be officially confirmed by UEFA in the coming weeks, but the current outlook paints a grim picture for Palace’s European hopes. What was meant to be a celebratory return to the continental stage may now end in disappointment due to off-field ownership complications.
This situation not only affects Palace’s sporting ambitions but could also have financial implications, as European qualification brings with it significant revenue opportunities. The club’s hierarchy may now be forced to reassess their ownership structure more urgently than ever to avoid similar issues in future seasons.