Multi-club ownership: CAS rejects Crystal Palace's appeal & relegates them to the Conference League

The Court of Arbitration for Sport has dismissed the appeal lodged by Crystal Palace FC (Premier League) against UEFA, Nottingham Forest FC (Premier League) and Olympique Lyonnais (Ligue 1 McDonald's) concerning the decision (of 11/07/2025) of the First Chamber of the UEFA Club Financial Control Body (CFCB) to exclude the club from the 2025-26 Europa League "due to an alleged breach of multi club ownership regulations," announced CAS on 11/08/2025.

Crystal Palace complained that the CFCB had decided to relegate them to the Conference League for the 2025-26 season even though they had qualified for the Europa League on sporting merit, to admit Nottingham Forest FC (who had qualified for the Conference League on sporting merit) to the Europa League in their place, and confirmed Olympique Lyonnais' participation in the latter competition.

"After considering the evidence, the panel found that John Textor (USA), founder of Eagle Football Holdings, had shares in CPFC and OL and was a board member with decisive influence over both clubs at the time of UEFA's assessment date (March 2025)…