Crystal Palace discover likely date for verdict on European football ban

Crystal Palace secured their spot in next season’s Europa League after winning the FA Cup but their participation in the competition is in major doubt with UEFA set to make a decision

Crystal Palace face a near MONTH LONG wait to discover their European fate. The Eagles secured their spot in the Europa League at the end of the season after beating Manchester City in the FA Cup final.

They were set to go straight into the league stage of the competition but there are now doubts over whether the south Londoners can actually compete in the tournament. UEFA rules forbid individuals having control of more than club to be in the same competition at the same time to avoid conflicts of interest.

Eagle Football – the group owned by John Textor – is a minority shareholder in Palace, while they are also a majority shareholder in French side Lyon. Both clubs have secured qualification for the Europa League.

As it stands, Lyon get priority over the Premier League side due to their superior league finish last term. Palace chiefs have attempted to win UEFA over by flying to their headquarters in Switzerland for talks.

But it appears that Palace will have to sweat for a while over their prospects of playing Europe next season. That’s according to the BBC, who say a decision from UEFA is not expected until at least the end of the month.

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The news will be a huge blow to Palace’s hopes of planning for next season. Boss Oliver Glasner has already admitted that a place in Europe could affect their transfer ambitions.

Speaking earlier this year, he said: “From a financial perspective, Crystal Palace will never be a top-four club in England. Not with all the other big clubs here and that’s not necessary because not everybody can be a top-four club. It’s just not possible.

“This club got promoted in 2013. Since then, it has always progressed. Not huge steps. You can be a one-hit wonder and then you’re gone. We said: our planning shouldn’t be, ‘Now we play in Europe, so let’s do crazy things’, and then everything collapses. We follow a pathway.

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“This pathway didn’t start with Oliver Glasner. It started with the new owners in 2010. Very stable, mid-table, always between 10 and 15. And this is where we are again.

“Now, it’s step by step. Winning this trophy, playing internationally, getting this experience, and maybe getting some players we couldn’t by playing European football. This can help us take the next step.”

Palace have already seen one of their Premier League rivals take action regarding their European hopes. Nottingham Forest also saw a potential spot in the Champions League in jeopardy due to Evangelos Marinakis’ ownership of Greek giants Olympiacos.

He diluted his control of the East Midlands club by placing his shares in a blind trust. But Textor is unlikely to follow that example because he and Eagle Football do not have decisive influence over the Croydon outfit.

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