CAS upholds Palace’s Europa League demotion, Nottingham Forest take spot

Crystal Palace’s bid to keep their Europa League place has ended in defeat at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), which on Monday upheld UEFA’s decision to drop the FA Cup winners into the third-tier Europa Conference League.

UEFA ruled in March that Palace could not compete in the same European competition as Olympique Lyonnais because both clubs were linked through Eagle Football Group, majority owners of Lyon, while its founder John Textor also held a controlling stake in Palace. CAS said evidence showed Textor had “decisive influence” at both clubs on the assessment date.

Nottingham Forest, seventh in the Premier League last season, will replace Palace in the Europa League. Palace argued they were treated unfairly compared with Forest and Lyon, but the panel dismissed the claim.

The appeal came just before New York Jets co-owner Woody Johnson purchased Eagle Football Holdings’ stake in Palace. Textor has since left Lyon’s board, with Michele Kang becoming chairwoman and president.

Lyon, who finished sixth in Ligue 1, retain their Europa League spot over Palace, who placed 12th in the Premier League. Palace will now enter the Conference League qualifying playoff later this month, fresh off their Community Shield win over Liverpool on penalties.