Nottingham Forest will play in Europe next season, although at this moment in time, the competition they will enter remains to be seen.
Forest qualified for the UEFA Conference League through a seventh-place finish, but weeks after the Premier League season finished, the Reds are still awaiting final confirmation.
Crystal Palace are facing being thrown out of the Europa League after winning the FA Cup, with former part-owner John Textor forgetting to send vital paperwork through on time.
The situation has been complicated with one of his other former clubs, Lyon, being relegated from Ligue 1 and appealing their place in the top-flight.
If Palace are found guilty, they could be thrown out of the Europa League, creating a space for Forest to get the nod for that competition instead.
Now, a leading Sky Sports reporter has delivered an intriguing update.
Europa League trophy
Photo by Kristian Skeie – UEFA
Nottingham Forest receive Europa League update
Sky Sports reporter Kaveh Solhekol is a man with his finger on the pulse, covering the story for Sky Sports.
He’s now shared how Palace are feeling, with the decision likely now depending on Lyon getting their place back in Ligue 1 next season.
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It’s fair to say, however, that the Eagles are extremely concerned about their participation in Europe next season, which could open the door for Forest.
He said live on air: “Crystal Palace now genuinely fear they will lose their place in the Europa League and will play in the Conference League instead next season.
“Palace have never played in Europe before and it seems as though their lack of heritage and history in Europe may count against them when UEFA finally decide whether they can play in Europe next season.
“Palace earned their place by winning the FA Cup, but they may now lose that place if they decide that US businessman John Textor had decisive sway at Palace and Lyon.
“Palace are known to have sympathy from other Premier League clubs about their predicament.
“Palace are now starting to feel like a pawn in the chaotic world of multi-club ownership. John Textor has agreed to sell his share at Palace and has stepped down from the board.
“Lyon have agreed that if they’re relegated, they won’t play in Europe and that would be the green light for Palace to take part in Europe.
“However, Lyon has appealed their relegation and I think the feeling at Palace now is that if they win that appeal, UEFA will decide that Palace will have to play in the Conference League next season instead.
“It’s a really big mess.”
"Crystal Palace now genuinely fear that they will lose their place in the Europa League" ❌
Kaveh Solhekol reports that Palace's place is still under threat due to UEFA's multi-club ownership rules. pic.twitter.com/5ryWC8UwLo
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) July 1, 2025
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Forest need answers either way regarding Europe
UEFA won’t realise this, but their decision is going to impact both clubs when it comes to recruitment.
Forest will be able to attract a better calibre of player if the Europa League is on the agenda next season, and it might give the club more money to spend too.
This delay is doing nobody any favours right now, and the sooner it’s ironed out, the better.
On one hand, Palace earned their place, but if other clubs run by multi-club owners submitted the right paperwork on time, then why didn’t Forest’s rivals?
Rules are rules, and if they’ve been broken and UEFA ignore them, the powers that be would set a very dangerous precedent by allowing Palace to take their place in the Europa League.