Nottingham Forest have written to UEFA to express concern over Crystal Palace potentially participating in the Europa League given the multi-club ownership rules that are in place.
Crystal Palace qualified for next season’s Europa League after defeating Manchester City to win the FA Cup but they might be exempted from the competition due to their owner.
John Textor, the American businessman who has a 43 per cent stake in the Premier League side, also owns Lyon, who have qualified for Europe’s secondary competition. According to the rules, it’s impossible for one person to own two clubs playing in the competition.
Though Crystal Palace hierarchy have met with UEFA officials to try explain Textor’s situation, Forest can stand to gain if UEFA do choose to kick the Eagles out of the Europa League.
According to reports from the Times, Nottingham have been in contact with European football’s governing body regarding the matter.
Nottingham Forest players celebrate wining a game. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
Much may yet depend on whether Lyon themselves are allowed to play in the Europa League. UEFA’s Club Financial Control Body (CFCB) disqualified Lyon from European competitions in December but allowed them to continue after the club met certain demands. However the French side are being “carefully monitored” by the CFCB and could be disqualified from next season’s Europa League for any breaches.
It is understood that Palace case could end up at the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Forest could also take the matter to the courts if the Eagles are still deemed eligible. UEFA have previously been rigid in their application of their rules which could count against the FA Cup winners.
Eagles shareholders Textor and David Blitzer want to put their shares in a blind trust to ensure the club can compete in Europe next season – but UEFA claim their request has come too late. UEFA rules state that such ownership changes must take place before 1 March to take effect in time for the following season.
Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis has transferred his shares given his Greek club Olympiacos have qualified for next season’s Champions League.
Blitzer is also an owner of Danish club Brondby who qualified for the Conference League. It means there could be issues should Palace want to drop down into that tournament instead.
