John Textor Steve Parish Crystal Palace
(Credit: Getty Images)
Stefan Borson
Wed 9 July 2025 10:00, UK
Crystal Palace could land a Europa League blow as Uefa believes they have breached the ownership rules.
John Textor has agreed to sell his Palace shares to New York Jets owner Woody Johnson in a move to help the club play in the European competition next season.
Textor’s ownership of Lyon has presented a stumbling block after they also qualified for the Europa League, with Uefa’s rules prohibiting clubs controlled by the same owners or directors from competing in the same European competition.
The governing body has postponed a decision on whether to allow Palace to play in the Europa League until after Lyon’s domestic appeal against their relegation.
The French side were relegated to Ligue 2 last month due to their financial issues.
Finance expert Stefan Borson exclusively told Football Insider Palace will be permitted to play in the Europa League if Lyon fail to overturn their relegation.
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French newspaper L’Equipe reported on 3 July Lyon’s appeal will take place on 10 July, with the club needing to raise €200million (£173million) to reverse their demotion to the second tier.
John Textor, Crystal Palace
John Textor has agreed to sell his Crystal Palace shares (Credit: Getty Images)
Crystal Palace situation could be resolved within days
Borson insisted Uefa’s Club Financial Control Body (CFCB) appears to have concluded Palace have breached the rules after delaying the decision on whether to allow them to play in the Europa League.
He told Football Insider: “The situation might be resolved very simply if Lyon fail to overturn the relegation.
“From what I can see and from what’s been reported in L’Equipe and elsewhere in France, it looks like to overturn it, they need a huge amount of cash, something like €200million and they need it within days because I think the appeal is on Thursday.
“It’s just not going to happen. So, if that is true, as it’s been reported, then Lyon will be relegated and, if Lyon are relegated, then Uefa don’t have a decision because we know that Crystal Palace will then be in the Europa League.
“Obviously, the bigger worry is that if it is overturned, it’s gone a long way down the road at Uefa.
“To even have been with the CFCB, the chief investigator must have concluded that they felt that there was a conflict and a breach of Article 5 of the Uefa regulations because, otherwise, it would never have got to the adjudicatory chamber and wouldn’t still be debating it.
“So, on the face of it, the chief investigator does think that there is a conflict. The CFCB don’t seem to be convinced that there isn’t a conflict and, therefore, can’t clear Palace at this stage.
“They are therefore waiting for a decision on Lyon.”
Club Stake (%)
Crystal Palace (England) 43
Botafogo (Brazil) 90
Olympique Lyonnais (France) 77.49
RWD Molenbeek (Belgium) 80
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Arsenal make move to sign Crystal Palace star
In terms of a potential exit at Selhurst Park, Football Insider revealed on 30 June Arsenal have enquired about Eberechi Eze’s availability and have held talks with his representatives over a move to the Emirates Stadium.
However, the Gunners are unsure whether or not they want to activate the 27-year-old’s £68million release clause and will assess alternative transfer targets before making a decision.
The England international, who has also been linked with Tottenham this summer, registered 14 goals and 11 assists in 43 appearances in the 2024-25 season.
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