Crystal Palace lose appeal against their demotion from Europa League
The FA Cup winners were demoted to the Conference League by European football's governing body UEFA on July 11 after it determined that as of March 1, American businessman John Textor had control or influence at both Palace and French club Lyon.
Nottingham Forest – who travel to Selhurst Park for Palace's first home league game on August 24 – are expected to take the Europa League place.
A CAS media release read: 'The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has dismissed an appeal by Crystal Palace FC (CPFC) against UEFA, Nottingham Forest FC and Olympique Lyonnais (OL) concerning a decision by UEFA to remove CPFC from the UEFA Europa League 2025/2026 due to a breach of UEFA multi-club ownership regulations.
'As a result, CPFC will be admitted to compete in the UEFA Conference League 2025/2026.
'The appeal sought to annul the decision by the UEFA Club Financial Control Body on 11 July 2025 which found CPFC and OL non-compliant with multi-club ownership regulations.
'Alongside the annulment of the decision, CPFC requested readmission to the UEFA Europa League with Nottingham Forest or OL's admission rejected.
'After considering the evidence, the panel found that John Textor, 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.
'The panel also dismissed the argument by CPFC that they received unfair treatment in comparison to Nottingham Forest and OL. The panel considered that the UEFA regulations are clear and do not provide flexibility to clubs that are non-compliant on the assessment date, as CPFC claimed.
'This was an expedited procedure, with an operative decision rendered two-and-a-half weeks after the appeal, filed on 21 July 2025. Unless parties request confidentiality, a full award (with grounds) will be made available on the CAS website in due course.'
Palace would have been granted direct entry to the Europa League league phase as FA Cup winners but now have to contend with a two-legged play-off against the losers of the Europa League qualifier between Fredrikstad and Midtjylland.
The first leg is scheduled to take place at Selhurst Park on August 21 and the away leg on August 28.
UEFA declined to comment on the CAS panel's decision, while Palace did not make any immediate comment.
Textor has now sold his stake in Palace, with the purchase of his shares by New York Jets owner Woody Johnson completed in late July.
Palace chairman and co-owner Steve Parish, speaking after the Eagles beat Liverpool to lift the Community Shield, said his team would look for any alternative solutions should the verdict not go their way.
He said: 'If we don't get the right outcome, then we will have to look if there's any steps after that.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Metro
an hour ago
- Metro
Chelsea interested in signing second Man Utd star after Alejandro Garnacho
Chelsea are interested in signing a second Manchester United star after Alejandro Garnacho, according to reports. Garnacho has already given the green light to a summer move to Stamford Bridge but Chelsea are yet to agree terms with their Premier League rivals. United are holding out for £50m for the Argentina international but Chelsea are reluctant to meet that price given Garnacho is in Ruben Amorim's 'bomb squad'. Not too long ago Garnacho was viewed as one of the most highly-rated players at Old Trafford but his career has stagnated. Amorim has instructed his bosses to offload the winger and was unhappy with comments Garnacho and his brother made following the Europa League final defeat to Tottenham. In The Mixer: Exclusive analysis, FPL tips and transfer talk sent straight to your inbox every week – sign up, it's an open goal. Garnacho was subsequently left out of United's pre-season tour of the States and has been training away from his teammates ahead of the 2025-26 campaign. Keen to remain in the Premier League and play for a Champions League club, Garnacho has already agreed personal terms in principle with Chelsea but is waiting for an agreement to be struck between the clubs. Chelsea are pursuing Garnacho despite already spending around £250m on new signings this summer. The Blues are also working on a deal for RB Leipzig playmaker Xavi Simons and remain interested in Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo. Chelsea have been repeatedly linked with a move for the England international over the past 12 months and The Sun say they are still 'waiting with open arms'. While not actively looking to sell Mainoo, United are struggling to tie the 20-year-old down to a new long-term contract. Mainoo enjoyed a breakout season at Old Trafford in 2023-24, earning a place in England's Euro 2024 squad and starting the final against Spain. But he was less influential last season and it has been suggested he could struggle for game-time in Amorim's system given the club's summer business. In an exclusive interview with Metro, ex-Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel urged his former club to poach both Mainoo and Garnacho from Manchester United. 'I like both of these players,' he said. 'I have no idea what the issue is with Garnacho and Ruben Amorim because for me he is one of the best players at United. 'The squad is what it is, and you want to get rid of Garnacho. Really? I can't see the sense in that because every time he plays he is a threat. 'The issue is probably the defensive side of his game but that is something you have to work with a young player on. To change their mentality to make sure their defensive responsibilities are taken seriously. 'With Kobbie Mainoo, maybe they feel they need to cash in on him to raise the funds. Maybe he did not have the season we all expected from him last season, he looked a shadow of the player he was when he first burst onto the scene. 'Again, I have no idea what the issue has been. The system, the manager? Is he not happy with the environment at the football club? 'There are so many factors you have to look at right now with Manchester United. If those are two players Chelsea want, I will take those two, definitely. 'They can only come in and improve us as a football club. I know if they come in, they will improve us as a team.' Manchester United legend Gary Neville, meanwhile, believes it is imperative that the Red Devils keep hold of Mainoo and 'build a team' around the youngster. 'Mainoo, no. That's a step too far,' the eight-time Premier League winner argued. 'If we can't give Kobbie Mainoo a job in that two in midfield… I look at Mainoo and the way he plays football and I think a top club would want him. More Trending 'Why can't we make him a top player? If he's one of ours and he's shown talent. I don't know what's gone on there in the last few months. 'He's obviously had some injuries which has caused him a problem so he needs to stay fit, but I'd like to think he could be one of that two in midfield that Ruben Amorim plays. 'It's probably not Casemiro as his partner and it's probably not Ugarte as his partner, it's probably someone else in there who is better than those two, if I'm being honest. 'But we should be building around Kobbie Mainoo in central midfield and not because he's come through the ranks.' For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: Brighton respond to Man Utd's player-plus-cash offer for Carlos Baleba MORE: PSG set transfer fee for Man Utd to sign Gianluigi Donnarumma MORE: Man City tell Tottenham how much it will cost them to sign 'incredible' winger
Daily Record
an hour ago
- Daily Record
I'm the Scottish star who downed Liverpool at Wembley but have been poached by Northern Ireland
Irvine youngster Justin Devenny slammed in the winner for Crystal Palace in the Charity Shield win against Liverpool Scotland may have missed out on Justin Devenny but the Crystal Palace star wasn't going to make the same mistake from the spot at Wembley. The former Kilmarnock academy kid slammed in the winning penalty for the Eagles as they shocked Liverpool to win the Charity Shield on the back of their incredible FA Cup triumph over Man City back in May. And it added another chapter to the sensational story of this youngster from Irvine. Devenny has completed a remarkable rise from the depths of Scottish football to the very pinnacle of the English game – and been poached by Northern Ireland in the process. The 21-year-old had a spell at Broomhill in the Lowland League when part of the Rugby Park ranks and then joined Airdrie in League One before being spotted by Palace's eagle-eyed Scottish scouts. The £150,000 shock move down south led to him impressing with the Under-23s before breaking into the first team – where he made 23 appearances last term on his way to picking up a historic FA Cup winner's medal. Devenny was at it again on Sunday, sticking up his hand to take the crucial fifth spot kick. And he didn't disappoint as he found the net to spark wild celebrations. Devenny had nerves of steel – and he revealed his grit was forged in the lower leagues in Scotland. The youngster's only other spot kick in his pro career came in Airdrie's 6-5 shootout win against Hamilton in 2023 to escape the third tier and claim a place in the Championship. Devenny said: 'I've taken one professional penalty, which was in the play-off final for Airdrie three years ago. 'It wasn't quite this, there were a few thousand there. But it's the same thing at the end of the day, taking a penalty. Did I score that one? Of course!' Devenny has always believed he could crack the big time – and had no doubts stepping up in front of 82,000 fans at Wembley. He said: 'I was confident and I believe in myself. I put my name down before. I didn't have to take a penalty, but I wanted to. 'I wanted to be the fifth one, I wanted to be the one that scored and win it. "He (manager Oliver Glasner) was asking who wanted to take a penalty and I said: 'I will take one' 'I was quite happy that it was in front of the Liverpool fans, you are going to get the abuse and the noise – but it is just about staying in the zone. 'Thankfully I scored, the emotions were great, I didn't know how to celebrate, it was almost too much to take in. It's a great feeling. 'I'm playing the sport I love for a living. These are the moments you want to be part of. 'Anyone would say yeah to have the chance to take the winning penalty in the Community Shield final. I was lucky enough to do it.' Devenny rammed home from the spot – and plunged another dagger in the hearts of the Tartan Army. The midfielder was whipped away by the Northern Irish from right under his horn nation's noses before he even got to Palace. Devenny came through the SFA performance school system but the summons came from over the water after an instant impact with Airdrie. Former St Johnstone boss Tommy Wright – who was part of the Northern Ireland youth set up – had been tracking the kid even longer after learning about his Belfast born granny. Scotland missed the boat and Palace stepped in soon after – with Devenny making his senior debut in the Nations League days in the same week he became the youngster scorer for the Eagles in the top flight with his strike against Aston Villa. The midfielder's career has started to soar and admitted he has no regrets at flying over the Irish Sea. Devenny said: 'Northern Ireland showed trust in me. It was an easy enough decision for me although I am Scottish – you can hear it in my voice – I have really enjoyed my time with Northern Ireland. They showed that trust.'
Scotsman
an hour ago
- Scotsman
How 'miserable' Premier League ace convinced Scotland star Hanley to sign for Hibs
Former Newcastle team-mates united on allure of Easter Road Sign up to our Hibs football newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... As Grant Hanley was being love bombed by friends and former team-mates telling him how much fun he'd have as a Hibs player, the veteran Scotland international decided to balance out the words of high praise by touching base with an old pal he mischievously refers to as 'miserable.' Surely this reliable agent of doom and gloom would give him the straight dope. So, when even Dwight Gayle started enthusing about the glorious Easter Road swansong he enjoyed in his final year as a professional footballer? That pretty much clinched it for former Newcastle and Norwich centre-half Hanley. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Lured in by the chance to experience European football for the first time in a career that includes captaining a team in the Premier League, Hanley admits to being massively impressed by the atmosphere as he attended the Midtjylland game – a heart-breaking 2-1 extra time loss in the Europa League – as a guest of former Scotland team-mate David Marshall, now right-hand man to Hibs sporting director Malky Mackay. Between that and the personal references, the 33-year-old didn't take much convincing to sign a two-year deal for David Gray's men. 'Obviously the lads I'd played with,' he said, when asked who he'd contacted for advice before agreeing to a first taste of senior football in Scotland, the Dumfries-born defender adding: 'Big Marsh, played with Marsh in Scotland for a number of years. 'Dwight as well. Kept in touch with Dwight since we played together at Newcastle. Those were the lads I'd spoken to 'There were more as well, lads that had played down south and then come back up the road. Just to get a feel for what their experience was like and how they felt. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Former team-mate provided glowing recommendation 'Dwight's a great lad, a top, top lad. Like I said, somebody that I've kept in touch with. It was quite good actually to get his opinion because everybody I spoke to was like, it's amazing you've got to do it, it's a no-brainer, go for it. 'Dwight's actually quite miserable so I thought he'd balance it out. But again, he was the same. Amazing. If Dwight says it's good, then it's normally good. 'The club speaks for itself, I knew exactly what the club was all about. The size of the club, the stadium, the fans, the atmosphere. 'An opportunity to play some European football and I think the direction the club is going speaks for itself. Coming up and meeting everybody, meeting the manager, meeting the staff, meeting Malky, meeting big Marsh and Ian Gordon to get a real feel of how good the people are in and around the club was massive for me. As soon as I did that, the decision was made. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad European atmosphere a selling point 'It was good to see the atmosphere of the stadium on a European night. There's not an awful lot I can say on that; it was impressive. 'As soon as you spend five minutes in the dressing room, you can see how close this group is. I've known lads that have played here over the last year or two so I reached out to them when I knew this could be an option. 'From their point of view, having this opportunity was a no-brainer. You want to be part of teams and groups of lads that are going in that direction. 'And I've never played in Europe. So the opportunity to play in Europe was one of the major factors in the decision making.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad An unused sub in Belgrade as Hibs ran out surprise 2-0 winners over Partizan, Hanley was given just shy of an hour in yesterday's 2-2 home draw with Kilmarnock. He's hoping to get more game time on Thursday night, as the Serbs look to overturn that first-leg deficit in the UEFA Conference League third qualifying round. Premier League captaincy a dream Hanley, who has played all over Europe with Scotland in amassing 62 caps, would obviously love to bag a debut in UEFA club competition, pointing out: 'It is obviously different but it's good to have that wee bit of experience there. I've played all over Europe and in tournaments to get a wee bit of insight into what it's going to be like and what to expect. 'One of the big factors in making that decision to come here was because of Europe. Another experience, another challenge that I'm really looking forward to. Hanley made his debut against Kilmarnock 'I think as your career is going on you never really look too far ahead because you don't know what can happen. Football can change for better or for worse really quickly. You're probably just looking at the next training session, next game rather than where you want to go and play next. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Obviously, I'm really grateful to have the opportunities that I've had and the experience I've had in England. Playing in the Premier League, as a boy playing football that's your dream, that's what you want to play. 'So I've had the opportunity to play in the Premier League, captain a team in the Premier League. Things that I'll be forever grateful for.' Still short of match fitness, by his own admission, Hanley is aware that manager Gray wanted him for his leadership skills as much as his footballing ability. Gayle has been mentioned more than once as an example to follow. Explaining how he would be filling that role, Hanley said: 'I wouldn't say I'm screaming and shouting. I've learnt as my career's gone, the more you can stay level when things are going good or bad is normally the best way to play it. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Probably just a bit of consistency in how I go about my work every day and how I apply myself and my attitude towards training and games. I would say along those lines, bits of experience that I can pass on here and there can always help I suppose. I'm 33 and I've played a reasonable number of games so I'm guessing that was part of the thinking. 'I think throughout my career I've always felt when I've had a period not playing, it maybe takes three, four or five games to really get up to speed. It's a tricky situation because I'm coming in not having a real pre-season. 'The way the fixtures are at the minute and how busy we're going to be, there's not any real big proper training sessions or training weeks where you can really get some work in. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'I'm happy to be thrown in. The sports science team, the physios and the coaching staff know everything I've done. 'But there's a difference between being fit and being match fit. Even just silly things like your distances, your angles, your timing and other things like that. That's something that comes back over time. So we'll see how it goes and hopefully the more I can integrate into training and find my feet amongst the group and get some more minutes on the pitch, hopefully that will all help.'
