Crystal Palace Receive European Boost as UEFA Reviews Ownership Concerns Amid Push for Europa League Participation
Crystal Palace’s aspirations of playing in European competition next season have received a significant lift, as UEFA appears open to allowing the club to retain their spot in the UEFA Europa League, pending further investigations into their ownership structure.
The South London side, who secured European qualification by virtue of winning the FA Cup, have faced uncertainty in recent weeks due to concerns over multi-club ownership rules. Specifically, the focus is on the role of John Textor, a U.S. businessman whose investment in Palace, coupled with his controlling stake in Ligue 1 club Lyon, has prompted UEFA to scrutinize the arrangement under their multi-club ownership regulations.
UEFA Requests More Details From Crystal Palace
UEFA, headquartered in Switzerland, has now formally asked Crystal Palace executives to submit additional documentation clarifying the club’s governance and decision-making processes. This request comes in advance of a final verdict expected later this month that could determine the Eagles’ fate in European football for the 2025/26 season.
The inquiry centers around whether Textor’s involvement constitutes a conflict of interest under UEFA rules, which aim to prevent the same individual or entity from exerting influence over two clubs that could potentially compete in the same European tournament.
In early June, Palace’s leadership team, including Chairman Steve Parish, John Textor, and other senior officials, attended a critical meeting at UEFA headquarters to present their case. According to sources familiar with the proceedings, they emphasized that Textor does not wield operational control over Crystal Palace, despite his company, Eagle Football Holdings, owning a 43% stake in the club.
Critically, they pointed out that Textor’s holding grants him just 25% of the voting rights, suggesting that the American investor does not possess decisive influence over the club’s strategic direction or footballing decisions—one of the key criteria UEFA uses to determine a breach.
Textor Offers to Sell Stake to Protect Palace’s European Status
In a bid to alleviate UEFA’s concerns entirely, Textor has expressed a willingness to divest his stake in Palace. Speaking to Mail Sport, he stated that he is actively working to sell Eagle Football Holdings’ interest in the club, believing that doing so would provide a clearer path for Palace to participate in European competition without the cloud of regulatory infringement.
There are currently three known interested parties evaluating a purchase of the stake, including a consortium involving NBA star Jimmy Butler, New York Jets owner Woody Johnson, who previously served as U.S. ambassador to the UK, and a third group described as a major U.S.-based player in the entertainment sector.
The current asking price for Textor’s stake is reportedly £175 million, a figure that is lower than what Textor himself had previously offered for complete ownership of the club.
UEFA Decision Imminent – Forest Waiting in the Wings
While the ongoing discussions around a potential sale continue, Crystal Palace officials are hopeful that UEFA will accept their argument that Textor’s limited influence does not breach multi-club ownership guidelines. If accepted, the club may not need to proceed with a sale at all, preserving its internal structure and ownership continuity.
UEFA’s final decision is anticipated by the end of the month, and sources close to the matter suggest that the governing body is keen to find a compromise that does not require drastic action—particularly given the precedent it could set for other clubs with minority investors involved in multiple teams.
However, if UEFA rules against Palace, the consequences could be immediate and severe. In such a scenario, Nottingham Forest, who finished just outside the qualifying spots for the Europa League, would be the primary beneficiaries. Forest, who currently hold a Europa Conference League position, would be elevated into the Europa League in Palace’s place.
Any such decision would likely trigger legal appeals, both from Palace and potentially from clubs like Forest or even Lyon, depending on the ruling’s broader implications.
Strategic Implications for Palace and the Premier League
This case holds significant implications not only for Crystal Palace but also for the growing trend of multi-club ownership models in European football. As more investors seek to replicate Red Bull, City Football Group, and other multi-club structures, UEFA’s handling of Palace could influence how these entities operate across leagues.
For Palace, maintaining European qualification would be a major milestone in the club’s modern history and a significant reward for their domestic success. But to do so, they must continue to tread carefully in both boardroom diplomacy and legal compliance as they await the verdict.