Crystal Palace has been demoted to the conference league after UEFA rules in Lyon’s multi-ownership case
Crystal Palace was demoted from the Europa League to the Conference League in the 2025-26 season following the UEFA ruling on multiclub ownership issues involving the Eagles and Lyon.
The Palace competed in the Europa League after winning their first major trophies after Manchester City was spectacular in the FA Cup final in May.
But they and Lyon are both owned by American businessman John Text. Lyon also competed in the Europa League after finishing sixth in League One, with UEFA rules prohibiting two clubs from sharing that they play in the same competition.
Lyon’s relegation from League 1 to League 2 appears to have revealed issues with multiclub ownership last month. The French club appealed a decision by the National Administration of Management (DNCG), but agreed not to play in the Europa League if they lose their appeal to UEFA.
However, their appeal was successful, with Lyon playing in both League One and Europa Leagues, putting the palace in danger.
The text agreed Handling selling palace stocks to Woody Johnsonowner of the NFL’s New York Jets, last month. However, the deal has not yet been approved by the Premier League.
And that lack of ratification has proven costly for the palace, meaning that UEFA will go to Nottingham Forest their position in the Europa League, and that they are likely to compete in the Conference League through a seventh place finish in the Premier League.
A UEFA statement stated: “The CFCB First Chamber has launched a lawsuit between Crystal Palace and Olympic Lyon due to a potential conflict with the multi-club ownership rules set forth in Article 5 of the UEFA Club Competition Regulations.
“On July 9, 2025, the appeal instance of the French Bureau of Finance and Management (DNCG) decided not to leave Olympic Lyon to League Two, and as a result, it will not be excluded from the 2025-26 UEFA Club Competition, following the assessment by the CFCB of all other relevant terms contained in the settlement agreement.
As a result, the first room of the CFCB pursued an evaluation of documents submitted by the Olympic Lyon and Crystal Palace, and concluded on March 1, 2025 that the club had violated the multi-club ownership standard as described in ART 5.01 of UEFA Club Competition Regulations.
“For this reason, and in accordance with the regulations set for the arts of 5.02, 5.03 and 5.04 of the UEFA Club Competition regulations, CFCB First Chamber has decided to accept Olympic Lyon admission to the 2025-26 UEFA Europa League. The League.”
The Palace may appeal this decision to the Sports Arbitration Court.