*** UEFA Waits on Lyon Appeal Before Ruling on Palace | THE DAILY TRIBUNE | KINGDOM OF BAHRAIN

UEFA Waits on Lyon Appeal Before Ruling on Palace

TDT | Manama

Email : hussainm@newsofbahrain.com

Europa League spot in question amid multi-club ownership review

UEFA will delay its decision on whether Crystal Palace can compete in next season’s Europa League until Olympique Lyonnais’ relegation appeal is resolved, the governing body confirmed on Monday.

Under UEFA’s multi-club ownership rules, two clubs with shared ownership cannot play in the same European competition. American businessman John Textor holds stakes in both Palace and Lyon.

Palace earned their Europa League place by winning the FA Cup, while Lyon qualified by finishing sixth in Ligue 1. However, Lyon were relegated to Ligue 2 by French football’s financial watchdog (DNCG) due to financial irregularities. The club is appealing the decision.

UEFA’s Club Financial Control Body will wait for the outcome of Lyon’s appeal before making a final ruling. As part of a prior settlement with UEFA over financial breaches, Lyon agreed to be excluded from European competition if their relegation is upheld.

A recent case involving Ireland’s Drogheda United, who lost an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport over a similar ownership issue, has highlighted UEFA’s strict stance on the matter.