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Daily Mail
19 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Blow to Crystal Palace's Europa League hopes as relegated Lyon strike deal with UEFA
Crystal Palace 's hopes of playing in next season's Europa League were delivered a blow on Friday when Lyon announced that they had reached an agreement with UEFA to play in the competition. The south London club qualified for Europe in the first time in their history when they won last season's FA Cup with a dramatic 1-0 victory over Man City in the final. However, their participation in the Europa League has been under threat due to UEFA's rules on multi-club ownership. Eagle Football Holdings — who have a 43 per cent stake in the club — are also the owners of Lyon. UEFA prevent clubs who share owners competing in the same compeition and, under their rules, Lyon are set to take the Europa League spot because they finished higher (sixth) in their domestic league than Palace (12th). John Textor, who owns the group, has agreed to sell the stake in Palace to New York Jets owner Woody Johnson in a desperate attempt to keep the south London side in the competition. A decision on whether that will be enough to allow both clubs to compete in the competition has been expected by the end of the month after Palace official flew to UEFA HQ in Switzerland for a crunch summit. Palace hopes were raised this week when Lyon were relegated from Ligue 1 following an audit of their finances by Direction Nationale du Controle de Gestion (DNCG), the body responsible for overseeing the finances of French football clubs. Lyon's demotion was seen by a 'game-changer' by insiders at Selhurst Park who believe that they should now be regarded as the higher-placed club should only one of the two clubs be allowed into the Europa League. Lyon, however, released a statement on Friday which suggests they are still in the box seat. 'After validating its financial viability procedure, Olympique Lyonnais (OL) has signed an agreement with UEFA's club financial control body,' the statement read. 'The club could thus participate in the Europa League competition next season, subject to a favorable outcome during the appeal of the DNCG's decision. 'OL thanks the UEFA representatives who supported it in this procedure.' Palace remain confident of finding a resolution given that no facilities, players or resources are shared with Lyon. The relegation of the club, who faced off against Manchester United in the Europa League quarter-finals last season, will mean former Premier League stars could line up in the second tier next season. Former United and Chelsea man Nemanja Matic is on the club's books, as well as ex-Arsenal duo Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Alexandre Lacazette. They are seven-time Ligue 1 champions, last winning the league in 2008 — their seventh domestic title in a row.
The Sun
a day ago
- Business
- The Sun
Crystal Palace forced to wait on crunch Europa League decision from Uefa chiefs with new date revealed
CRYSTAL Palace will have to wait until at least Monday to discover if they have been cleared to play their first European campaign. Palace's 'Multi Club Ownership' issues were among a number of similar matters being considered by Uefa finance chiefs. 2 2 But the meeting at Uefa headquarters in Nyon has so many cases to consider that final verdicts will not be announced until after the weekend. Palace legal beaks and executives pleaded their case to Uefa's Club Financial Control Body, with their arguments strengthened by Lyon's relegation from France's top flight over the club's soaring debts. The Selhurst club have been made to wait for the green light since their FA Cup Final win over Manchester City because Lyon are owned by the Eagle Football group owned by US businessman John Textor, who had a 44.9 per cent stake in Palace despite being kept at arms length by Steve Parish and Americans Josh Harris and Dave Blitzer. Despite his limited role at Selhurst Park, Uefa were concerned that Textor's ownership stake breached regulations stating that clubs which are part of a shared ownership group cannot compete in the same competition. Those rules saw Manchester United owners Ineos park their shares in French side Nice in a blind trust to allow both to play in the Europa League last season, with Chelsea owners BlueCo withdrawing from their hands-on role at Strasbourg. And Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis stepped back from any official role at the City Ground in April, to meet the Uefa requirements, when he hoped the East Midlanders would qualify for the Champions League alongside Greek side Olympiacos. 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. And as Lyon finished sixth in Ligue 1, compared to Palace's 12th-placed ranking in the Prem, they take priority over the South East London side. JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUS Despite that, the FA have backed the Eagles and Palace's cause was also aided by Textor's announcement that he is selling his Palace shares to New York Jets owner and former US ambassador to the UK Woody Johnson in a £190m deal. That sale still has to be cleared by the Premier League, although it is not expected to be held up. Crystal Palace could be KICKED OUT of Europa League before a ball is even kicked Textor now faces being ejected from the Lyon hotseat as well, with investment fund Ares, who loaned the US businessman £330m to fund his takeover in 2023, seeking to install new leadership. Lyon's relegation means they would not be nominated to take up their Europa League place, although the club are appealing against the decision of French football's financial regulator. 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. That would probably be at the expense of Strasbourg, who finished seventh in Ligue 1 and are expected to be nominated in Lyon's place. However, insiders anticipate that Palace would not be retrospectively prohibited from competing if Uefa has cleared their entry. Meanwhile, Irish side Drogheda has been expelled from the Uefa Conference League. This is due to multi-club ownership rules in a similar circumstance to Palace.
The Sun
2 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Transfer news LIVE: Liverpool join Gyokeres battle, £40m Kerkez ANNOUNCED, Chelsea ‘close in on Gittens'
Crystal Palace boost 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. But the barriers that could have denied the Eagles their opportunity to make club history have been significantly eased by the decision of French football's financial regulator to demote 'Les Gones' over the club's soaring debts. Under Uefa regulations, clubs that are part of a shared ownership group cannot compete in the same competition. Lyon are part of the Eagle Football group owned by US businessman John Textor, who had a 44.9 per cent stake in Palace despite being kept at arms length by Steve Parish and Americans Josh Harris and Dave Blitzer. Despite his limited role at Selhurst Park, Uefa were concerned that Textor's ownership stake breached those regulations. And while Palace qualified for the Europa League after their FA Cup win over Manchester City, Lyon's sixth-placed finish in Ligue 1 gave them priority. 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.
The Sun
3 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
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. 4 4 But the barriers that could have denied the Eagles their opportunity to make club history have been significantly eased by the decision of French football's financial regulator to demote Les Gones over the club's soaring debts. Under Uefa regulations, clubs that are part of a shared ownership group cannot compete in the same competition. Lyon are part of the Eagle Football group owned by US businessman John Textor, who had a 44.9 per cent stake in Palace despite being kept at arms length by Steve Parish and Americans Josh Harris and Dave Blitzer. Despite his limited role at Selhurst Park, Uefa were concerned that Textor's ownership stake breached those regulations. And while Palace qualified for the Europa League for their FA Cup win over Manchester City, Lyon's sixth-placed finish in Ligue 1 gave them priority. 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. CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS 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. However, insiders anticipate that Palace would not be retrospectively prohibited from competing after the CFCB has cleared their entry. The whole saga, though, has only shed further light on the issues multi-club ownership is causing to Uefa. 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 Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis stepped back from any official role at the City Ground in April, to meet the Uefa requirements, when he hoped the East Midlanders would qualify for the Champions League alongside Greek side Olympiacos. 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 sold his Palace shares to New York Jets owner and former US ambassador to the UK Woody Johnson in a £190m deal. 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. 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.' 4
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Lyon ultras call for John Textor to leave the club
In the wake of the confirmation of Olympique Lyonnais' relegation to Ligue 2, the club's main ultras group, the Bad Gones, have called on owner John Textor to leave the club. Textor's stock among the Lyon fans has taken a big hit in recent times. He had endeared himself to them through his open war with Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi, however, the club's spiralling financial issues saw them turn on the American. Advertisement Their dissatisfaction was audible during Lyon's match against AS Monaco on the penultimate day of the season as they booed Textor as he walked in front of them, before deploying an unsavoury banner that made a crude play on words involving Eagle Football's floating on the stock exchange and Al-Khelaifi's testicles. However, Textor's popularity is now at rock bottom after the DNCG confirmed Les Gones' relegation to Ligue 2 following Tuesday's meeting. The club will appeal. However, for OL's largest ultras group, the Bad Gones, there is no coming back for Textor. In a letter and X post addressed to the owner, the Bad Gones said, 'The end of the season was difficult for the club but also for our relationship. We think that we struggle to understand each other, to understand where the club is going, what your vision of it is, and we think that you, like us, have created a common distrust.' Advertisement It continued: 'John has never been and never will be the man for the situation. This Botafogo supporter should now leave the Lyon landscape. We call on the numerous creditors to take back control and give the keys back to someone who will be able to respect the institution.' The Bad Gones concluded by saying 'Textor out'. On Wednesday morning, banners with that slogan have appeared across the city. GFFN | Luke Entwistle
