How Lyon's shock relegation will affect Crystal Palace's Europa League hopes with D-Day fast approaching
CRYSTAL PALACE could be cleared to play their first European campaign this week - as a direct consequence of Lyon's shock relegation in France.
Uefa competitions chiefs will meet in Nyon on Friday to make a final decision on Palace's eligibility to play in the Europa League.
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Crystal Palace are hoping to play in the Europa League after winning the FA Cup
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Lyon were relegated to the second tier by French football authorities
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But the barriers that could have denied the Eagles their opportunity to make club history have been significantly eased by the decision of
Under Uefa regulations,
Despite his limited role at Selhurst Park, Uefa were concerned that Textor's ownership stake breached those regulations.
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And while
However, the decision by the French authorities - Lyon announced they would appeal - is understood to be likely to ease Palace's path.
Assuming the French Football Federation now withdraws its nomination of Lyon - all teams competing in Europe must be put forward officially by their national association - Nyon insiders expect the Club Financial Control Body will now rule in Palace's favour.
A decision could come immediately after the meeting although Eagles fans may have to wait until the start of next week before confirmation as the Palace situation is among a number of decisions that are on the agenda.
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It is understood that the official Uefa deadline for entry will be next week, following the eligibility rulings by the panel.
But if Lyon were to win their appeal after being excluded from the official entry list, Nyon chiefs anticipate they are likely to apply to the Court of Arbitration for Sport to be reinstated.
Crystal Palace and Lyon chief John Textor wears cowboy hat in sarcastic response to rival
That would probably be at the expense of Strasbourg, part of the BlueCo group which owns Chelsea and who finished seventh in Ligue 1 and are expected to be nominated in Lyon's place.
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However, insiders anticipate that
The whole saga, though, has only shed further light on the
Manchester United owners Ineos parked their shares in French side Nice in a blind trust to allow both to play in the Europa League last season.
And
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Palace, though, did not make any changes to the ownership structure ahead of the Uefa deadline for next season - a situation complicated by Blitzer's ownership of Danish side Brondby, who qualified for the Conference League.
Earlier this week, Textor announced he had
That sale still has to be cleared by the Premier League, although it is not expected to be held up.
Lyon cited that deal as part of their official response to relegation - even if there was a danger that the agreement had been signed too late to allay Uefa's concerns about Textor's Palace role.
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The club said: 'Thanks to… the sale of Crystal Palace, our cash position has improved significantly, and we have more than sufficient resources for the 2025/26 season.
"With so much cash liquidity demonstrated, and sporting success which has earned European competition in two consecutive years, we sincerely do not understand how one administrative decision could relegate such a great French club.'
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The confusion was around John Textor's ownership of both Lyon and Palace - until he sold his Eagles shares
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Tottenham got their hands on the Europa League trophy in May
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