Crystal Palace learn first Conference League opponents as appeal hearing looms

Yahoo

12 hours ago

Crystal Palace's first Conference League play-off opponent has been revealed, despite their involvement in the competition still being unconfirmed.
The Eagles qualified for the Europa League by winning the FA Cup last season, but were demoted to UEFA's third-tier competition after falling foul of multi-club ownership rules due to John Textor's investments in Lyon. Textor has since sold his stake in Crystal Palace.
Nottingham Forest have been promoted to fill their place, but Palace have appealed UFEA's ruling. They will head to the Court of Arbitration for Sport for a hearing on August 8, with a decision set to be announced on August 11.
Should they fail in their appeal, though, they will remain in the Conference League, and their first qualifying opponent has now been revealed.
The Eagles will face either Fredrikstad or Midtjylland in a two-legged tie, the winner of which will move on to the competition's league phase.
Fredrikstad and Midtjylland are due to meet in the third Europa League qualifying round on August 7 and 10, with the loser stepping down to face Palace.
The Eagles will host the first leg of the Conference League play-off at Selhurst Park on August 21, with the reverse fixture set for August 28. These dates are subject to change.
Fredrikstad, situated south of Oslo, currently sit seventh in the Eliteserien, while Midtjylland, who knocked Hibernian out of Europa League qualifying in July, sit fourth in the Danish Superliga.
Should they contest it, Palace could become the third English side to win the Conference League after West Ham in 2022-23 and Chelsea in 2024-25.