Jul 25, 2014; Chester, PA, USA; Crystal Palace goalkeeper Julian Speroni (1) grabs the ball in traffic during the first half of the match against the Philadelphia Union at PPL Park. Mandatory Credit: John Geliebter-USA TODAY Sports

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‘Biggest Injustice in History of Football’ – Crystal Palace Chairman Steve Parish Slams UEFA Decision To Demote Eagles to Conference League

UEFA’s decision came days after Lyon won an appeal to overturn their financial-related relegation from Ligue 1.

Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish has launched a scathing attack on UEFA after the club was removed from next season’s Europa League. The decision to demote the Eagles to Conference League was taken by UEFA due to a breach of multi-club ownership rules. However, Parish termed UEFA’s decision as “the biggest injustice in the history of football.”

The decision means that Palace will instead compete in the UEFA Conference League, with Nottingham Forest potentially taking their Europa League spot. Parish described the outcome as devastating, insisting that the ruling is based on a “ridiculous technicality” that unfairly punishes the club and its fans.

Parish told Sky Sports News,

“We’re devastated. It’s a bad day for football. It’s a terrible injustice. I do believe nobody want to see this. I don’t think Uefa wants to see this. We’ve been locked out of a European competition on the most ridiculous technicality. Supporters of all clubs should be devastated for us.”

🗣️ Steve Parish tells @SkyKaveh Crystal Palace’s demotion to the Conference League is “devestating” and a “terrible injustice… and I don’t think UEFA want to see this.”

Palace will appeal via CAS. Plenty in UEFA remain sympathetic.🦅pic.twitter.com/dEnfRALFPK
— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) July 11, 2025

Why Were Crystal Palace Demoted?

The issue stems from American businessman John Textor owning stakes in both Crystal Palace and French side Lyon. Under UEFA’s multi-club ownership rules, no two clubs under the same significant ownership influence can compete in the same European competition. Despite Palace’s insistence that Textor has no decisive influence over the club, UEFA ruled otherwise.

The governing body had set a deadline of March 1, 2025, for clubs to resolve any ownership conflicts. Palace failed to meet this condition, and with Lyon finishing higher in Ligue 1 than Palace did in the Premier League, the French club was prioritized for Europa League participation.

However, Parish slammed UEFA saying,

“Obviously, as everybody knows, John or anybody at Eagle Football [Textor’s company] didn’t have decisive influence over Crystal Palace. Everybody knows this. Everybody knows we’re not part of a multi-club [ownership]. Everybody knows we have no staff, no players from Lyon, no loans, no transactions. We’ve caught a tripwire. We’re caught up in a rule that wasn’t put there for us.”

Parish confirmed that Palace will appeal the ruling to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) and expressed hope that UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin will intervene to reverse the decision. He reiterated that Palace rightfully earned their Europa League qualification by winning the FA Cup.

pic.twitter.com/WvsEsiceca
— Steve Parish (@CEO4TAG) July 11, 2025

UEFA’s decision came days after Lyon won an appeal to overturn their financial-related relegation from Ligue 1. Had that relegation been upheld, Palace would have kept their Europa League place. But with Lyon reinstated, the conflict with Palace’s qualification triggered enforcement of UEFA’s ownership policy.

Lyon will now participate in the Europa League, while Aston Villa take the second spot for English clubs after finishing sixth in the Premier League.

Crystal Palace

Lyon

Steve Parish

UEFA

UEFA Europa Conference League

UEFA Europa League

Abhinav Goel

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I am a soccer writer at The PlayOffs, covering everything from match analysis to transfer buzz and tactical deep dives. Ever since I was a kid, soccer has been more than just a sport to me—it’s been an obsession. Playing and watching the game from a young age fueled my passion, eventually leading me into the world of sports media and betting. Now, I get to analyze the sport I love and bring the latest updates to fans worldwide.