Crystal Palace are frantically trying to rescue their Europa League status - with Marc Guehi’s future also in doubt.
UEFA have rejected an approach from Crystal Palace owners John Textor and David Blitzer to place their shares in a blind trust as Europa League disqualification becomes a genuine possibility.
Winning the FA Cup last month secured European football for the first time in Palace’s history. However, UEFA regulations state “no one may simultaneously be involved, either directly or indirectly, in any capacity whatsoever in the management, administration and/or sporting performance of more than one club participating in a UEFA club competition.”
American businessman Textor acquired a 45 per cent stake in the Eagles four years ago. Despite being the majority shareholder, he only possesses 25 per cent voting rights, the remaining 75 per cent are shared by Josh Harris, Blitzer and chairman Steve Parish.
The sticking point is Textor’s 90 per cent stake in French giants Lyon - a club he has owned since 2022. They are also set to play in the Europa League next season after finishing sixth.
Palace representatives met with UEFA on Tuesday to propose placing Textor’s shares in a blind trust. This loophole has been used by Manchester United, Manchester City, Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest in recent years to navigate their multi-club model.
However, the offer was rejected - with Palace needing to have made the sufficient ownership changes by March 1. At the time, the Eagles had not yet beaten Millwall in the FA Cup round of 16.
According to the BBC, Textor is willing to sell his Palace shares at a 25 per cent discount but that appears unlikely given the Europa League’s qualifying draw takes place on June 17. This marks a swift U-turn from the US billionaire who, only last month, was reportedly considering a complete takeover of Palace.
Eagles chiefs are now in a state of panic as they try to convince UEFA that Textor - the club’s majority shareholder - has no influence at Selhurst Park. Should Palace be disqualified, the debates about football regulators and multi-club ownership models in the UK will amplify.
Newcastle United ready to pounce
Palace’s summer preparations have been hit by uncertainty - with Newcastle United ready to pounce. Vultures will come calling for stars like Marc Guehi and Eberechi Eze should the Eagles relinquish their European status.
It is well documented that Newcastle like Guehi having failed to land the England defender last summer. The Telegraph reported last month that the Magpies remain interested ahead of the summer window.
Guehi has just one year left on his contract, placing Palace in a tougher negotiating positon than last season. As club captain, he would be as frustrated as anything if robbed of the chance to lead the Eagles into the Europa League.
UEFA rules in full
“No one may simultaneously be involved in any capacity whatsoever in the management, administration, and/or sporting performance of more than one club participating in a Uefa club competition,” the regulations state.
“No individual or legal entity may have control or influence over more than one club participating in a UEFA club competition, (including) holding a majority of the shareholders’ voting rights; having the right to appoint or remove a majority of the members of the administrative, management or supervisory body of the club; being a shareholder and alone controlling a majority of the shareholders’ voting rights pursuant to an agreement entered into with other shareholders of the club; or being able to exercise by any means a decisive influence in the decision-making of the club.”
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