Crystal Palace’s fairy-tale ending to the 2024/25 season is dangerously close to unraveling before it even begins.
Despite lifting the FA Cup in May and earning what should have been a historic spot in next season’s Europa League, the South London side now finds itself trapped in UEFA’s tight web of multi-club ownership regulations.
At the heart of this growing storm is American investor John Textor. Although he owns a minority stake – 43% – in Crystal Palace, he also holds significant interest in French side Olympique Lyon, another club qualified for the same competition.
According to UEFA’s rulebook, one person can’t hold influence over multiple clubs competing in the same European tournament. That’s not just a technicality – it’s a deal-breaker.
To sidestep this, Textor and fellow Palace co-owner David Blitzer tried transferring their shares into a “blind trust.” In theory, this move relinquishes their decision-making powers and removes the conflict.
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However, UEFA swiftly rejected the arrangement – not because it was invalid, but because it came after the critical March 1 deadline. Manchester United and Manchester City used similar methods last year, but crucially, they did so on time. Palace’s delay could now cost them dearly.
Deadline missed, doors closed
Efforts to fix the situation are ongoing. Textor has reportedly been scrambling to sell his Palace stake to eliminate the clash of interests. But with time ticking and no buyer secured, the club’s European participation is slipping through their fingers.
Furthermore, Blitzer is tangled in his own web – his company owns a portion of Brøndby, a Danish side set to play in the Conference League. That blocks even the fallback option of switching Palace to UEFA’s third-tier competition.
If the ownership tangle remains unresolved, Crystal Palace could be disqualified entirely from European competition next season. In that case, Nottingham Forest – who just missed out – could swoop in to claim their spot in the Europa League.
That twist would sting especially hard for Palace fans, who only recently celebrated the club’s first major trophy in its 164-year history.
The situation paints a frustrating picture. UEFA has made it clear that rules are rules – no matter how significant the win or how late the paperwork.
While some owners have managed to game the system by meeting deadlines and playing by the technicalities, Palace’s backroom missteps are proving costly. Now, the club risks becoming a cautionary tale of how corporate ambition and sporting glory can collide.
Last hope or last straw?
With UEFA standing firm, Palace’s hopes rest on either an unlikely sale or a last-ditch appeal – neither of which seems promising at this stage.
It’s a classic case of red tape meeting recklessness, and for Crystal Palace, the cost may be the dream of competing on the grand European stage.
Tags: Crystal Palace, UEFA, Europa League, John Textor, Olympique Lyon, David Blitzer, Brøndby, Conference League, Nottingham Forest, #CPFC, #NFFC, #UEL, #UECL, #PremierLeague.
