Crystal Palace receive last minute takeover bid from Donald Trump pal that could rescue Europa League hopes
The would-be Palace buyer held an important role during Trump's first term
TRUMP CARD Crystal Palace receive last minute takeover bid from Donald Trump pal that could rescue Europa League hopes
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
NEW YORK JETS owner Woody Johnson has launched a bid to buy John Textor's minority stake in Crystal Palace, according to reports.
Textor, 59, has been trying to flog his shares as Uefa threaten to throw Palace out of next season's Europa League.
Sign up for Scottish Sun
newsletter
Sign up
1
Woody Johnson has launched a bid for Crystal Palace
Credit: Getty
The Eagles qualified for the Europa League by virtue of lifting the FA Cup last month.
As Textor, who owns a 43 per cent stake in Palace, is also majority owner of French side Lyon, who have also qualified for the Europa League, the Eagles' place in Europe has come under threat.
Uefa rules dictate that two teams under the same ownership cannot compete in the same competition.
Textor could have placed his shares into a blind trust by March 1 to avoid this issue, but with Palace's FA Cup triumph still appearing to be a long shot at the time, the American businessman did not.
Palace chiefs are currently desperately trying to convince Uefa that Textor has no involvement in day-to-day goings on at the club.
The Missouri-native has long been thought to be trying to flog his shares.
And according to Sky Sports, Jets owner Johnson has made a bid.
Johnson, 78, served as US ambassador to the UK during Donald Trump's first administration.
Last month it was reported that the New Jersey-native may even try to buy a controlling stake in the Eagles.
Long-serving chairman Steve Parish owns around 10 per cent of the South London club, having helped to save them from going bust in 2010.
Americans David Blitzer and Josh Harris own 36 per cent, with Textor possessing 43 per cent.
Parish and Textor are said to have fallen out in 2023.
And last year, the latter attempted to buy Everton, before being beaten by compatriot Dan Friedkin.
THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY..
The Sun is your go to destination for the best football, boxing and MMA news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video.Like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TheSunFootball and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSunFootball.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
South Wales Guardian
an hour ago
- South Wales Guardian
Israel attacks Iran's nuclear and missile sites, prompting drone retaliation
The assault on Tehran raises the potential for an all-out war between the two bitter Middle East adversaries and appears to be the most significant attack Iran has faced since its war with Iraq in the 1980s. The strikes came amid simmering tensions over Iran's rapidly advancing nuclear programme and appeared certain to trigger a reprisal, with Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warning that 'severe punishment' would be directed at Israel. Hours later, Israel's military said it had begun intercepting Iranian drones launched in retaliation. An Israeli official said the interceptions were taking place outside of Israeli territory, but did not elaborate. Iraq said more than 100 Iranian drones had crossed its airspace, and a short time later neighbouring Jordan said its air force and defence systems had intercepted several missiles and drones that had entered its airspace for fear they would fall in its territory. Israel's attack on Iran hit several sites, including the country's main nuclear enrichment facility, where black smoke could be seen rising into the air. Later in the morning, Israel said it had also destroyed dozens of radar installations and surface-to-air missile launchers in western Iran. The leader of Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard, Gen Hossein Salami, was confirmed dead, Iranian state television reported. This is a significant blow to Tehran's governing theocracy and an immediate escalation of its long-simmering conflict with Israel. The chief of staff of Iranian armed forces, Gen Mohammad Bagheri, was also confirmed dead by Iranian state television. Other top military officials and scientists were believed to have been killed. In Washington, the Trump administration, which had cautioned Israel against an attack during continued negotiations over Iran's nuclear enrichment programme, said that it had not been involved and warned against any retaliation targeting US interests or personnel. Still, it seemed likely the US suspected an attack could be in the offing, with Washington on Wednesday pulling some American diplomats from Iraq's capital and offering voluntary evacuations for the families of US troops in the wider Middle East. Israeli leaders cast the pre-emptive assault as a fight for the nation's survival that was necessary to head off an imminent threat that Iran would build nuclear bombs, though it remains unclear how close the country is to achieving that or whether Iran had actually been planning a strike soon. 'It could be a year. It could be within a few months,' Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, as he vowed to pursue the attack for as long as necessary to 'remove this threat'. 'This is a clear and present danger to Israel's very survival,' he added.
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
Farrell 'secures England return' as Saracens plot retirement plan for fly-half
Owen Farrell is set to return to the Premiership after Saracens secured a deal that will see him return from Racing 92 with his contract factoring in his role once he's retired Owen Farrell will return to Saracens after just one year away with the Premiership club negotiating his exit from French club Racing 92. The England star opted to head overseas last summer, but is now poised to head back. Farrell joined Stuart Lancaster, the man who gave him his England debut in 2011, at the Paris-based outfit. However Lancaster has since been sacked and the fly-half has struggled to settle in the French capital, struggling with injury and expressing a desire to return to his homeland. Racing 92 originally demanded a €500,000 fee to let Farrell go but Saracens have negotiated that down to €200,000 with the 33-year-old signing a five-year deal in north London that makes plans for his retirement, reports the Telegraph. The move will see him take up a player-coach position. Farrell is set to play for at least the next two seasons before he transitions into a full-time coaching role when he retires as a player. Racing received approaches from several Premiership clubs, including Gloucester and Leicester Tigers, but Farrell was only looking to return to Saracens, where he had played for 16 seasons as a professional. Farrell's return to England means he is again eligible to play for his country. The RFU's overseas policy meant he had ruled himself out of playing under Steve Borthwick, but he will again put himself in contention to add to his 112 caps. Saracens have just missed out on the top four having previously been regulars in the play-offs and director of rugby Mark McCall, who didn't shy away from confessing the club's interest in Farrell, insists having him back would be a huge plus on and off the pitch. 'He doesn't have to play 10, he can play other positions as well,' McCall said recently. 'So for our young talents who are developing, it could be a great thing to have him there. 'It's not just about having talent, it's about being able to think properly on the field. I know Owen's obviously one of the best at that. He and [fellow fly-half] Louie Johnson in particular have a very strong relationship already. They talk every month at least. Owen's so willing to share his knowledge and his experience with younger players.' Farrell was seen as an outside bet to go on this summer's British and Irish Lions tour, where dad Andy is the head coach. He can still be called up as injury cover, which could see him take part in a fourth tour having been part of the squads in 2013, 2017 and 2021.
Metro
an hour ago
- Metro
US Open 2025: Round Two UK tee times, TV schedule and how to watch
The US Open is underway with the tough conditions at Oakmont Country Club already causing trouble for several of the world's best players. Famed as 'golf's toughest test', this week's US Open is set to provide one of the most gruelling layouts in recent years. And the early signs showed that to be the case as just ten players finished the first round under par. Leading the way is unheralded American J.J. Spaun after a flawless bogey-free on Thursday, with Thriston Lawrence one further back on -3. Five-time major chamoion Brooks Koepka is poised on -2, while Jon Rahm is one further back at one under. It was a gruelling day for the world's top two players, with Rory McIlroy carding a four-over-par opening round after a promising start, while Scottie Scheffler is only one better on +3. Ahead of the second round, here is everything you need to know, including the tee times, TV schedule, and how to watch and stream in the UK. Selected groups, all times BST. (* denotes 10th tee start) Round Two 12.29pm – Jordan Spieth, Jon Rahm, Dustin Johnson 12.40pm – Tyrrell Hatton, Sungjae Im, Sepp Straka 12.30pm (*) – Viktor Hovland, Collin Morikawa, Scottie Scheffler 6.03pm – Ludvig Aberg, Adam Scott, Hideki Matsuyama 6.14pm (*) – Xander Schauffele, Jose Luis Ballester, Bryson DeChambeau 6.25pm – Shane Lowry, Justin Rose, Rory McIlroy 6.25pm (*) – Matt Fitzpatrick, Wyndham Clark, Gary Woodland Full tee times for round two can be found here. Looking to improve on his opening round, McIlroy will go out in the afternoon wave on Friday alongside Shane Lowry and Justin Rose. The Northern Irishman will start his second round on the first tee at 6.25pm BST. Friday 13 June: Round Two action, with live coverage from 12.30pm till 00.30am. More Trending Saturday 14 June: Round Two action, with live coverage from 4pm till 1am. Sunday 15 June: Final round action, with live coverage from 4pm till midnight. All four rounds from the US PGA Championship will be shown on Sky Sports Golf or Sky Sports Main Event in the UK, while viewers can also live stream the action via Sky Go. If you're not a Sky customer, you can grab a NOWTV Day Pass to watch without a subscription. For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: US Open 2025: Rounds One and Two UK tee times, TV schedule, start time, and how to watch MORE: US Open 2025: Tee times, TV schedule, start time, odds and how to watch in UK MORE: Rory McIlroy admits he has two major 'concerns' heading into the US Open
