Crystal Palace’s Europa League bid hit by Lyon’s UEFA deal after French club’s relegation

Crystal Palace’s attempt to qualify for next season’s Europa League suffered a setback after Lyon announced they reached an agreement with UEFA to participate in the competition. Palace, who secured their first-ever European spot by winning the FA Cup last season with a dramatic victory over Manchester City, are now facing uncertainty due to UEFA’s rules on multi-club ownership.

The Premier League club’s owner, Eagle Football Holdings, also owns a 43% stake in Lyon. UEFA’s rules prohibit clubs with shared ownership from competing in the same tournament. Since Lyon finished higher in their domestic league (sixth) compared to Palace (12th), they are favored to take the Europa League spot.

In an effort to retain their European qualification, Palace owner John Textor has sold his stake to Woody Johnson, owner of the New York Jets, in hopes of clarifying ownership conflicts. A final decision on whether both clubs can participate is anticipated after a summit at UEFA headquarters in Switzerland.

Lyon’s recent relegation from Ligue 1, following financial audits, was seen as a potential “game-changer” by Palace insiders, who believe that Lyon should now be considered the higher-ranked club for Europa League qualification, given their relegation.

Despite Lyon’s statement indicating they are still in contention, ongoing appeals may influence the final outcome. Given they do not share facilities or players, Palace remains optimistic about their chances of resolving the situation.

Last season, Lyon faced Manchester United in the Europa League quarter-finals. With their relegation, notable players like Alexandre Lacazette could find themselves playing in the second tier, adding a new dimension to the competition.

Overall, the situation remains uncertain, with Palace hoping the ownership changes and ongoing appeals will allow them to compete in Europe next season.