Crystal Palace's FA Cup victory over Manchester City at Wembley last Saturday has granted them a route into the Europa League - but their ownership structure could breach UEFA rules
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Crystal Palace's FA Cup success has granted them a route into the Europa League - but UEFA rules could be an issue
(Image: Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)
Crystal Palace remain confident about their participation in next season's Europa League despite Lyon potentially qualifying - which would challenge UEFA's rules about multi-club ownership.
The Eagles won the FA Cup at the weekend, shocking Manchester City, to earn a passage into Europe but their largest shareholder is John Textor, who is also the owner of Lyon. Should PSG see off Reims in the French Cup final this weekend then it would allow Lyon to qualify for the Europa League by virtue of them finishing sixth in Ligue 1.
UEFA's club financial control body (CFCB) is set to look into the case, with a decision expected in early June, reports the Guardian. If regulations are abided by, then it is Palace who could lose out due to finishing lower in their league than Lyon. The best the Eagles can manage on the final day is ninth.
The Premier League side, however, are confident their ownership structure means they will not clash with UEFA's ownership rules. It all comes down to Textor’s influence at Selhurst Park - the Eagles will argue that his Eagle Football Holdings do not have the majority of voting rights.
He has an equal vote to co-owners Josh Harris, David Blitzer and the chair, Steve Parish, which would show there is no breach of the regulations.
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Last month Nottingham Forest owner, Evangelos Marinakis, put his shares in a blind trust so that they would comply with Uefa regulations on multi-club ownership. That was done ahead of Forest's potential qualification for the Champions League, where another of Marinakis' clubs Olympiakos will also compete.
The Eagles had gone their 164-year history without a major trophy but, like Manchester United 12 months ago, will be in Europe's second tier competition after claiming glory at Wembley.
Lyon's possible qualification for the Europa League could present issues for Crystal Palace
Lyon's possible qualification for the Europa League could present issues for Crystal Palace
Palace boss Oliver Glasner has urged the club not to be "one-hit wonders" and wants to see them use their FA Cup success as a springboard. “Now it’s going step by step," he said. "Maybe getting a player we couldn’t get if we didn’t play international football; – this can help us make the next step."
English sides have enjoyed a strong recent record in European competitions below the Champions League. On Wednesday night United and Tottenham will contest the final. Chelsea have their sights on the Europa Conference League, which was a tournament won by West Ham two years ago.
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