Frustrated Crystal Palace count cost after Cas upholds Europa League ban
'I really am, even more after Friday,' the club chair said. 'I don't understand that we cannot be in the competition. I really can't. But it's up to the judges to decide. We trust them and that they listened to everything we said so let's see.'
Confirmation from the court of arbitration for sport that it had upheld the decision made by Uefa's club financial control body to punish Palace for breaching its multi-club ownership rules has brought Parish and the team's supporters back to earth. The Cas statement made clear the role of John Textor, the American businessman who last month sold his 43% stake in Palace to the New York Jets owner, Woody Johnson, was decisive. Textor has admitted that seconds after Palace's victory against Manchester City in May's FA Cup final that he feared for the worst regarding participation in the Europa League, given that he owns Lyon, who also qualified.
The Cas panel – consisting of a Dutch former striker, a Swiss former fencer who competed in the 1984 Olympics and an Italian professor – backed Uefa's findings that Textor 'was a board member with decisive influence over both clubs at the time of Uefa's assessment date'. It also dismissed Palace's argument that they had received unfair treatment compared to Nottingham Forest and Lyon, and said missing the 1 March deadline for Textor to place his shares into a blind trust had been crucial.
Textor has been the target of most Palace fans' frustration, although several have also taken aim at the Nottingham Forest owner, Evangelos Marinakis. Forest, who are poised to take Palace's Europa League place, wrote to Uefa a few weeks after the FA Cup final expressing concern that Palace may have contravened multi-club ownership regulations. Parish suggested last month in an interview with Gary Lineker that their Premier League rivals had played a role in the decision to ban them.
'We were told that and I think it's been made public,' he said. 'These things seem to be played out in public. There doesn't seem to be a lot of confidentiality that comes out of certain organisations. But we're led to believe that that's the issue – if there wasn't somebody that wanted to get in as a consequence, then there wouldn't be a problem.
'People have got to look at themselves. Some people will say it's fine, some people will say it's not. I don't really have control of that. I only have control of the arguments that we put forward to Uefa.' Forest declined to comment on Parish's remarks at the time.
Palace's case is believed to have included evidence that only members of the European Club Association were informed Uefa's 1 March deadline for complying with multi-club rules could be extended until 31 May – a fact that enabled Marinakis to place Forest into a blind trust when it seemed they might qualify for the Champions League along with his Greek club, Olympiakos. Palace are also understood to have highlighted the burgeoning friendship between Marinakis and Textor. The American denies that had any bearing on his conduct and described as untrue reports he is planning to incorporate his Brazilian club Botafogo into the Greek shipping magnate's network of clubs.
Forest sent a legal delegation to the Cas hearing to argue their case and they have been silent since Palace were demoted by Uefa last month. Marinakis has resumed control of shares in the two-time European champions after they finished seventh in the Premier League.
Sign up to Football Daily
Kick off your evenings with the Guardian's take on the world of football
after newsletter promotion
Their supporters can look forward to the Europa League's league stage while Palace prepare for a Conference League playoff against the losers of the Europa League qualifier between Norway's Fredrikstad and Midtjylland of Denmark. Midtjylland lead 3-1 going into their home leg on Thursday.
It is estimated demotion will cost Palace up to £20m in lost revenue, given the Conference League's league stage has two fewer games than the Europa League's, although Oliver Glasner will fancy his chances of winning a competition that has had two English winners in its first four editions.
The chance for Palace to play in Europe for the first time since a short-lived Intertoto Cup experience in 1998, when they qualified after being the only English team to apply for entry, will be consolation for a club that also missed out in 1991 when they finished third in the old First Division. Only the top two went into Europe via league position.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Rhyl Journal
19 minutes ago
- Rhyl Journal
Donnarumma ‘disappointed and disheartened' at PSG Super Cup squad omission
Italy international Donnarumma was an eye-catching omission from PSG's Super Cup squad for Wednesday's fixture with Tottenham in his home country. Big-money summer arrival Lucas Chevalier has been included and is set to make his PSG debut at Stadio Friuli after Luis Enrique confirmed he wanted a goalkeeper profile that was 'different' to Donnarumma. — GIANLUIGI DONNARUMMA (@donnarumma) August 12, 2025 Italy captain Donnarumma has since taken to Instagram to criticise the decision and expressed his desire to say goodbye 'in the eyes one more time' to the PSG supporters at Parc des Princes. 'To the special Paris fans, from the first day I arrived, I gave everything – on and off the pitch – to earn my place and defend the goal of Paris St Germain,' Donnarumma said. 'Unfortunately, someone has decided that I can no longer be part of the group and contribute to the team's success, I am disappointed and disheartened. 'I hope to have the opportunity to look the fans at the Parc des Princes in the eyes one more time and say goodbye as it should be done. 'If that doesn't happen, I want you to know that your support and affection mean the world to me and I will never forget it. I will always carry with me the memory of all the emotions, the magical nights and of you, who made me feel at home. 'To my team-mates – my second family – thank you for every battle, every laugh, every moment we shared. You will always be my brothers. 'Playing for this club and living in this city has been an immense honour. Thank you, Paris.' Luis Enrique explained his decision in Udine, saying: 'These are always difficult decisions to make. 'I can definitely talk about Gigio, because he's one of the best players in his position, without a doubt. He's even better as a person. 'We're looking for a goalkeeping profile that is different to Donnarumma. It's always difficult to make the decision in these kinds of situations.' Luis Enrique also revealed Tottenham were once an option for him and admitted they have a physical advantage on Wednesday. The 55-year-old was linked with the vacancy at Spurs after Antonio Conte left in 2023, but Ange Postecoglou was eventually hired and Luis Enrique subsequently took over PSG in a sliding doors moment for both men. Postecoglou was able to mastermind Europa League success in May and end Tottenham's 17-year trophy drought, whilst Luis Enrique guided PSG to the holy grail of a maiden Champions League title. The pair will not face each other in Italy after Spurs ruthlessly discarded with Postecoglou following a poor domestic campaign and the appointment of Thomas Frank – alongside the fact they have been in pre-season training since early July, while PSG only returned last Wednesday after their Club World Cup exploits – gives the English outfit a slight edge, according to Luis Enrique. 'Well, I have to say that it is difficult because they changed recently the manager, new manager, some new players, they play a few friendly matches before tomorrow's match and I don't know what kind of game they are going to plan,' Luis Enrique acknowledged. The squad to face Tottenham! 📋🔴🔵#SuperCup — Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) August 12, 2025 'It is going to be difficult because they have been training for the last month and we are in our first week, but it is not an excuse. 'We are going to try to compete at our best.' On Spurs' links, Luis Enrique added: 'Well, there were some options for me in the last six months before I came to Paris and Tottenham was one of them.'
Leader Live
20 minutes ago
- Leader Live
Donnarumma ‘disappointed and disheartened' at PSG Super Cup squad omission
Italy international Donnarumma was an eye-catching omission from PSG's Super Cup squad for Wednesday's fixture with Tottenham in his home country. Big-money summer arrival Lucas Chevalier has been included and is set to make his PSG debut at Stadio Friuli after Luis Enrique confirmed he wanted a goalkeeper profile that was 'different' to Donnarumma. — GIANLUIGI DONNARUMMA (@donnarumma) August 12, 2025 Italy captain Donnarumma has since taken to Instagram to criticise the decision and expressed his desire to say goodbye 'in the eyes one more time' to the PSG supporters at Parc des Princes. 'To the special Paris fans, from the first day I arrived, I gave everything – on and off the pitch – to earn my place and defend the goal of Paris St Germain,' Donnarumma said. 'Unfortunately, someone has decided that I can no longer be part of the group and contribute to the team's success, I am disappointed and disheartened. 'I hope to have the opportunity to look the fans at the Parc des Princes in the eyes one more time and say goodbye as it should be done. 'If that doesn't happen, I want you to know that your support and affection mean the world to me and I will never forget it. I will always carry with me the memory of all the emotions, the magical nights and of you, who made me feel at home. 'To my team-mates – my second family – thank you for every battle, every laugh, every moment we shared. You will always be my brothers. 'Playing for this club and living in this city has been an immense honour. Thank you, Paris.' Luis Enrique explained his decision in Udine, saying: 'These are always difficult decisions to make. 'I can definitely talk about Gigio, because he's one of the best players in his position, without a doubt. He's even better as a person. 'We're looking for a goalkeeping profile that is different to Donnarumma. It's always difficult to make the decision in these kinds of situations.' Luis Enrique also revealed Tottenham were once an option for him and admitted they have a physical advantage on Wednesday. The 55-year-old was linked with the vacancy at Spurs after Antonio Conte left in 2023, but Ange Postecoglou was eventually hired and Luis Enrique subsequently took over PSG in a sliding doors moment for both men. Postecoglou was able to mastermind Europa League success in May and end Tottenham's 17-year trophy drought, whilst Luis Enrique guided PSG to the holy grail of a maiden Champions League title. The pair will not face each other in Italy after Spurs ruthlessly discarded with Postecoglou following a poor domestic campaign and the appointment of Thomas Frank – alongside the fact they have been in pre-season training since early July, while PSG only returned last Wednesday after their Club World Cup exploits – gives the English outfit a slight edge, according to Luis Enrique. 'Well, I have to say that it is difficult because they changed recently the manager, new manager, some new players, they play a few friendly matches before tomorrow's match and I don't know what kind of game they are going to plan,' Luis Enrique acknowledged. The squad to face Tottenham! 📋🔴🔵#SuperCup — Paris Saint-Germain (@PSG_English) August 12, 2025 'It is going to be difficult because they have been training for the last month and we are in our first week, but it is not an excuse. 'We are going to try to compete at our best.' On Spurs' links, Luis Enrique added: 'Well, there were some options for me in the last six months before I came to Paris and Tottenham was one of them.'
The Independent
35 minutes ago
- The Independent
As octopuses dwindle in Spanish waters, suppliers look to imports and farming despite concerns
At a humming factory in the Spanish town of O Carballino, workers sling dozens of limp octopuses into a metal cauldron, wincing as strings of slime splatter their aprons. Nearby, others slice tentacles and pack them into vacuum-sealed bags destined for restaurants and retailers across Europe, Asia and the United States — part of a growing global appetite for an animal that's become increasingly scarce in its native waters. Though O Carballino proudly calls itself Spain's octopus capital — complete with a towering bronze octopus statue, streets lined with the pulperias that offer them up to diners and an annual octopus festival that draws tens of thousands — the century-old factory hasn't sourced a single animal from local waters in 10 years. 'Here in Galicia, octopus has become really, really variable and scarce,' said Carlos Arcos, export manager of Frigorificos Arcos SL. 'If you're industrializing a process like we do, you need to guarantee your customers regularity of supply.' Today, 100% of the company's octopus comes from Mauritania and Morocco. While octopus numbers fluctuate naturally from year to year, scientists and fishers say Spain's long-term trend is downward and surging international demand is only tightening the squeeze. That's prompted some companies to explore farming the animals in tanks to ensure a long-term supply — a prospect that's drawn pushback from animal welfare groups. Pressure forces closure of Spain's octopus fishery This summer, that pressure reached a breaking point. Spain's octopus fishery closed for three months — an unusually long pause meant to give it time to recover. 'The population has only just come back, but once the season opens, we'll destroy it all in two weeks,' said Juan Martínez, a fisherman of more than four decades. Beside him, hundreds of octopus traps sat idle, stacked along the dock in his home port of Cangas. 'This used to be a sustainable industry, but now we've broken an entire ecosystem.' Octopus populations in Galicia also depend heavily on nutrient-rich upwelling — deep ocean water rising to the surface and bringing food for octopuses — said Ángel González, a research professor at the Spanish National Research Council. While upwelling naturally fluctuates, climate change is altering wind patterns, ocean stratification and nutrient delivery, making those cycles less predictable and, in some years, less productive. 'When that weakens due to changing oceanographic and atmospheric conditions, numbers drop regardless of fishing.' In response to growing demand and shrinking wild stocks, some companies in Spain are attempting to farm octopus in captivity — a move they say could ease pressure on the oceans. Grupo Profand is developing a research hatchery in Galicia focused on overcoming the biological challenges of breeding octopus. Meanwhile, seafood giant Nueva Pescanova is pursuing a full-scale industrial farm that would raise up to a million octopuses a year for slaughter. Grupo Profand did not respond to an interview request. A spokesperson for Nueva Pescanova declined to comment. Animal welfare groups say octopus shouldn't be farmed Animal welfare groups have condemned the proposed project as inhumane, citing plans to kill octopuses by submerging them in ice slurry and to confine the often-cannibalistic animals at high densities. They also warn it would pollute nearby waters with discharged waste, worsen overfishing of wild fish used for feed and inflict suffering on one of the ocean's most complex creatures. 'Farming wild animals is cruel, but especially with octopuses given their solitary nature and extremely high intelligence,' said Helena Constela, head of communications at Seaspiracy, a group that advocates against industrial fishing. Keeping them confined together in tanks, she said, is 'basically torture in slow motion.' Michael Sealey, senior policy advisor at Oceana Europe, said aquaculture should focus on species with lower environmental costs, such as oysters and mussels, which require no fish feed. 'We recognize that aquaculture has a role to play in feeding the world,' said Michael Sealey, senior policy advisor at Oceana Europe. 'But we need to prioritize low-impact farming — not systems that rely on feeding wild fish to carnivorous species.' Widespread concerns have already prompted action in the United States. Washington became the first state to ban octopus farming in 2024, followed by California, which also outlawed the sale of farmed octopus. Lawmakers in more than half a dozen other states have proposed similar bans, and a bipartisan federal bill to prohibit both farming and imports of farmed octopus is under consideration in Congress. Though no commercial farms currently operate in the U.S., these preemptive measures reflect mounting unease over projects moving ahead in Europe, Asia and parts of Central and South America — unease fueled in part by the 2020 Oscar-winning documentary 'My Octopus Teacher,' which showcased the animals' intelligence and emotional complexity to millions on Netflix. The arguments in favor of farming 'They have a real brain. They're able to do things other animals cannot,' said González of the Spanish National Research Council. 'But please — don't cross the line. It's an animal, it's an invertebrate. We can't extrapolate these kinds of things. Personality is linked to persons.' González, who is working with Grupo Profand on their research hatchery, believes farming could help restore wild stocks by raising juvenile octopuses in captivity for release back into the sea — an approach animal welfare groups argue could pave the way for industrial-scale farming. Javier Ojeda, national aquaculture representative at APROMAR, Spain's aquaculture business association, said aquatic animals can play a key role in food security and may be more efficient to raise than livestock. ' Octopuses grow extremely fast and efficiently — they're not fighting gravity and they don't spend energy heating their bodies," he said. He acknowledged welfare concerns but argued they should not block scientific progress. 'Farming octopus is something that cannot be stopped,' said Ojeda. 'We've been eating them for a long time. Now we need to try to find best practices.' Follow Annika Hammerschlag on Instagram @ahammergram. ___
