Crystal Palace could learn whether they will play in the 2025-26 Europa League next week as Lyon’s battle against relegation from Ligue 1 rumbles on.
Palace earned a spot in Europe’s second tier competition after winning the FA Cup, but their position has been in doubt amid concerns over whether they had breached the competition’s rules on multi-club ownership.
UEFA officials had been set to deliver a verdict on Monday but the governing body said the decision had been postponed, with an agreement to be ‘communicated in due course’.
The issue relates to the involvement of US businessman John Textor, whose company Eagle Football Holdings, held a 43 per cent stake in Palace. Textor is also the majority owner of Lyon, who qualified for the same competition. Rules do not allow clubs under the same group to participate in the same competition.
Textor has since agreed to sell his stake in Palace to New York Jets owner Woody Johnson, although whether that will be enough to satisfy UEFA remained to be seen. Under the rules, Lyon would have taken the spot given they finished 6th in their domestic competition compared to Palace’s 12th.
However, officials in France last week decided to relegate Lyon, thanks to breaches of their financial rules. Lyon have appealed, but should the demotion stand then Palace will likely be given the green light.
Crystal Palace could learn whether they will play in the 2025-26 Europa League next week
Palace won the FA Cup to secure a spot in the competition, but their position is now uncertain
Their fate may hinge on whether Lyon’s relegation from Ligue 1 for financial reasons is upheld
And, according to L’Equipe, Lyon’s fate will be decided next week in front of the appeals committee of the National Management Control Directorate (DNCG).
And once the DNCG come to a verdict, UEFA are then set to hand down their own decision.
Amid the fallout from their relegation, Textor has since resigned as Lyon president, with Michele Kang stepping into his shoes.
But the French side are desperate to find out their destiny as soon as possible given the impact the case is having on their preparations for the new season.
Paulo Fonseca’s team are expected to resume training on Monday and they are currently unable to make any signings.
The report also adds that several players are growing increasingly concerned over what division the club will be in, with Lyon keen to provide clarity ahead of the new campaign getting underway.
Kang and Michael Gerlinger, who was appointed general manager, have been desperately working on Lyon’s case and they were said to visit UEFA authorities on Tuesday.
This was to discuss their participation in the Europa League and the report claims that if the situation is not resolved by July 14, then Lyon’s hopes will be over.
The issue relates to the involvement of US businessman John Textor, whose company Eagle Football Holdings, held a 43 per cent stake in Palace. Textor is also the majority owner of Lyon
Paulo Fonseca’s side should find out whether they are relegated next week, after which UEFA will then hand out their decision on whether Palace can play in the Europa League
In fact, the report even alleges that Lyon must raise at least €70 million (£60.5m) to have any chance of succeeding.
But if they are successful, Lyon appeared to hint last week that they would be in pole position to play in the Europa League over Palace.
‘After validating its financial viability procedure, Olympique Lyonnais (OL) has signed an agreement with UEFA’s club financial control body,’ a statement read on Friday.
‘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.’
Lyon, meanwhile, last year, reported debts of around €500 million (£418m). Textor, though, had insisted the financial state had improved before Lyon stood in front of the DNGC.
The relegation of the club, who faced off against Manchester United in the Europa League quarter-finals last season, will mean several ex-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 star Ainsley Maitland-Niles.
They are seven-time Ligue 1 champions, last winning the league in 2008 – their seventh domestic title in a row.
