Crystal Palace ownership situation that they need to solve to ensure Europa League football next season

Local TV Sport

Windsor Park side must resolve ownership conflict swiftly to lock in Europa League football. John Textor’s 43 % stake and concurrent control of Lyon, which also qualified, breaches UEFA multi‑club rules. The club is pushing Textor to sell or shift influence—Woody Johnson deal aims to untangle ties. UEFA’s verdict looms; finalising the sale is crucial to safeguard next season in Europe.

Transcript

00:00Now for Crystal Palace.

00:04It's been something of an emotional rollercoaster

00:07since, of course, their fairytale ending to last season,

00:10winning the FA Cup at Wembley,

00:12their first ever major trophy in football,

00:14defeating Manchester City of all teams

00:16by a goal to nil at Wembley,

00:17and ultimately, therefore, qualifying for the Europa League,

00:21the first time that they would play in Europe in the club's history.

00:24And yet, since then, there's been so many issues

00:27regarding whether the club can actually play in the Europa League

00:30because, of course, one of their shareholders at the club

00:33owns part of another club in Europe,

00:35and that contradicts UEFA rules

00:38when it comes to two clubs playing in the same competition

00:40because, of course, Lyon qualified also for the Europa League last season,

00:45finishing sixth in Ligue 1 in France.

00:48However, Lyon have just been relegated

00:51because of financial difficulties to Ligue 2 in France,

00:56and so, where does this leave Crystal Palace?

00:59It's very hard to tell at the moment.

01:01Of course, before this happened,

01:02they were in discussions with UEFA

01:04and trying to get themselves sorted in terms of playing in the Europa League,

01:09and now the shareholder who did own part of Palace

01:12and Lyon has now sold up

01:14or is trying to sell up at least his shares in Palace.

01:18That's pending Premier League approval at the moment,

01:20but now with Lyon having gone down in France

01:23because of financial difficulties and irregularities,

01:26does that make things easier for Palace?

01:27Well, that remains to be seen.

01:29So, let's go now to our London sport correspondent, Charles Higg-Jones.

01:32Charles, what is the latest on this situation?

01:36Have Palace managed to get themselves into the Europa League

01:39or are things at least looking good because of Lyon's relegation

01:42and the fact that also their shareholder has managed to,

01:46or seems to be on the brink at least,

01:47of selling up his shares in the club.

01:50It seems a complicated situation,

01:51but what is the current plan at the moment?

01:57Yes, it's obviously a bit of a sticky situation now.

02:00Obviously, Crystal Palace,

02:02an incredible FA Cup triumph,

02:04beating Manchester City in the final,

02:06beating Aston Villa before that

02:08and having an amazing run.

02:09The likes of Eberucci has an unbelievable

02:11across that FA Cup campaign

02:13and in their first major tournament win in their history.

02:17So, an incredible season,

02:19but it could all sort of come falling down

02:22due to John Texter's ownership in Lyon,

02:25who have also qualified for the Europa League,

02:30which violates UEFA's rules.

02:31Basically, he has stake overlaps,

02:35which means he has percentage ownership

02:37in two clubs who are both in the same competition,

02:41which means it's a massive sort of downfall for Palace

02:48if that's to continue.

02:50Obviously, Lyon did end up relegated,

02:53which could be a possible lifesaver.

02:55It means they are possibly likely

02:58to be disqualified from Europe,

03:01which means there is a lifeline for Palace.

03:03Obviously, it's still a bit up in the air at the moment.

03:05The case is ongoing.

03:08But yeah, take nothing away from Palace

03:10and qualify for the Europa League.

03:11They fully deserve it.

03:13John Texter was sort of really panicking

03:16in terms of trying to sell.

03:18But Lyon's relegation due to huge debt,

03:21and I mean, this is £400 million or so,

03:26is likely to automatically disqualify them from Europe,

03:30which means we will go ahead as planned.

03:34Palace will be in the Europa League

03:37that will remove any conflict for them.

03:39It means Nottingham Forest will stay

03:41as the club who are waiting

03:43to possibly jump in Palace's seat

03:46if they were to move down.

03:48So it means Forest will likely stay

03:50in the Conference League,

03:52especially with multi-club investors

03:53being more common across Europe.

03:56So they need to get this sorted for sure.

03:58You know, in summary,

04:01their Europa League future sort of hinges

04:03on resolving the ownership rules

04:05and Texas state sales,

04:06and then Lyon's future are also key wild cards.

04:10So Palace will be looking out for this one.

04:12It's a massive, massive case.

04:14It's something that Palace needs to get right

04:16and want to get right for moving forward.

04:17You know, Oliver Glass

04:18has a great future

04:19and a great squad at Crystal Palace as well.

04:22So hopefully they are in Europe next season

04:25and really give that a good go as well

04:27because, you know, who knows

04:28with Crystal Palace hitting the ground,

04:30running with their first ever trophy,

04:32who knows there could be more to come

04:33in London for them as well.

04:37So a massive, massive case

04:39and hopefully it's resolved sooner

04:41rather than later.

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