Nottingham Forest Europa League fate set to be decide as Crystal Palace development emerges
Nottingham Forest Set for European Return After 30-Year Absence Amid Palace Ownership Shake-Up
Nottingham Forest are on the brink of a historic return to European football after an astonishing three-decade wait. When the 2025/26 football season kicks off in August, the Reds will be competing on the continental stage for the first time in 30 years, having secured a commendable seventh-place finish in the Premier League last season. This achievement has earned them a spot in the UEFA Europa Conference League, albeit with a crucial hurdle still to overcome: a two-legged play-off tie that will determine their place in the group stage of the competition.
However, Forest’s European dreams have, in recent weeks, been cast into uncertainty—not because of their own doing, but due to a situation involving fellow Premier League side Crystal Palace. The South London club has been grappling with the threat of exclusion from the UEFA Europa League amid a controversy involving their part-owner John Textor, who also owns a stake in French side Olympique Lyonnais.
UEFA regulations prohibit clubs owned or significantly influenced by the same individual from participating in the same European competitions, a rule designed to prevent potential conflicts of interest. With Lyon and Palace both qualifying for European tournaments, Textor’s dual involvement posed a serious compliance issue. Consequently, Nottingham Forest, as the next-placed team in the league, were left in limbo as UEFA deliberated on whether Palace would be disqualified, which could have elevated Forest into the Europa League.
Forest’s owner Evangelos Marinakis sought immediate clarity, reportedly reaching out to UEFA with a formal request for guidance. After weeks of anxious waiting, a resolution now appears to have emerged that should bring an end to the speculation.
According to a report from The Times journalist Ed Aarons, John Textor has taken decisive action by selling his entire 45% stake in Crystal Palace. The buyer is Woody Johnson, the American billionaire and co-owner of the NFL’s New York Jets. It is believed Johnson has agreed to a deal worth around £171 million, which effectively ends Textor’s ownership link with Palace.
This major development now seemingly clears the path for both Crystal Palace and Olympique Lyon to remain in their respective European competitions, with UEFA expected to give the green light. Palace, who will participate in the Europa League for the first time in their history, are now free from the regulatory constraints that previously threatened their European status.
For Nottingham Forest, while a backdoor entry into the Europa League would have been a welcome bonus, confirmation of their Conference League participation is still a monumental achievement. Fans will now turn their attention to the play-off round in August, hoping their team can navigate the two-legged tie and secure a place in the group stages of the tournament.
Should they advance, Forest will have every reason to be optimistic about making a deep run. With the final scheduled to take place in Leipzig next May, there is a growing sense of excitement among supporters who dare to dream of a memorable European adventure culminating in Germany.
While there may be some disappointment that the Europa League opportunity did not materialize, there is also a feeling that UEFA handled the situation pragmatically. Although Crystal Palace initially missed the deadline to submit crucial ownership documentation, Textor’s swift decision to divest his shares has seemingly satisfied UEFA’s requirements.
With clarity restored, both Palace and Forest can now shift their focus to pre-season preparations. For Forest in particular, their long-awaited return to Europe signals a new chapter—one filled with ambition, potential, and the tantalizing prospect of continental silverware.