Last month, the Club Finance Control Board (CFCB) determined that Crystal Palace has an ownership relationship with Lyon, when American businessman John Textor, through Eagle Football Holdings Limited, took control of Lyon and owned 43.9% of Palace's shares. According to regulations, an individual or organization cannot own more than 30% of shares in more than one club participating in a European tournament.
Crystal Palace argued the CFCB's decision was unfair, and opposed Nottingham Forest being promoted to the Europa League and Lyon still participating. However, CAS rejected all three arguments, affirming that at the time of assessment (March 1, 2025), Textor still held shares and had influence in both teams.
This decision helped Nottingham Forest get promoted from the Conference League to the Europa League, while Crystal Palace will have to play the Conference League play-off at the end of August, against the team that lost to the group Fredrikstad - FC Midtjylland in the Europa League qualifiers.
Palace won a Europa League ticket thanks to a 1-0 victory over Man City in the FA Cup final in May. However, Lyon's promotion from the Conference League to the Europa League after PSG won the French Cup caused both teams to violate the MCO. According to the law, the place in the European Cup will belong to the team with the higher ranking in the national championship, regardless of their domestic record, so Lyon will keep their place.
This is the first season UEFA has applied the MCO compliance deadline of January 1 instead of June 3 as before. Against Crystal Palace, Drogheda United (Ireland) and FC DAC 1904 Duna Streda (Slovakia) were also left out of the European Cup for similar violations and failed appeals.
