Crystal Palace have lost their appeal against their demotion from the Europa League, ensuring they will play in the Conference League this season.
As a result of their FA Cup success last season, Palace earned the right to play in the Europa League for the 2025/26 season, but were demoted by UEFA due to multi-club ownership rules.
It was determined that American businessman John Textor had control or influence at both Palace and French club Lyon at the time of assessment, with UEFA deeming them non-compliant to the regulations.
Palace submitted an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, but the ruling on Monday went in favour of UEFA. Oliver Glasner’s side will now compete in the Conference League.
LONDON, ENGLAND - Saturday, May 17, 2025: Crystal Palace's Jean-Philippe Mateta (L) and manager Oliver Glasner celebrate after the FA Cup Final between Crystal Palace FC and Manchester City FC at Wembley Stadium. Crystal Palace won 1-0. (Photo by Harry Murphy/Propaganda)
• READ: Crystal Palace open to selling Marc Guehi this summer
They will first need to navigate a two-legged play-off against the losers of the Europa League qualifier between Fredrikstad and Midtjylland, however, to qualify for the competition proper.
It represents a financial loss for Palace, who would have been guaranteed £3.6 million for their participation in the Europa League, plus £378,000 for each win and £126,000 for every draw.
A place in the Conference League proper would yield up to £1 million less, in addition to other prize money and broadcast revenue they will lose after their demotion.
What could it mean for Liverpool’s move for Marc Guehi?
Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi lifts the Community Shield with team-mates (John Walton/PA)
The Palace captain is currently in the final year of his contract and club chairman, Steve Parish, has conceded the club will “have to” sell Guehi if a new contract is not agreed.
“For players of that calibre to leave on a free, it’s a problem. No doubt about it, unfortunately…we just have to see what happens but it needs a new contract or a conclusion of some kind,” he said.
Palace cannot allow a player of his calibre to walk away for free and are known to be asking for around £50 million, which Liverpool are not interested in paying.
Last week, the *Times*‘ Paul Joyce reported Liverpool they “may follow up their interest depending on the asking price,” which will first need to drop for the club to come to the table.
Guehi will know he can play Champions League football at Anfield and Liverpool can help mitigate some of Palace’s financial losses from their demotion, but they will then need to find a replacement.
Sporting CP’s Ousmane Diomande has been consistently linked this summer but no significant progress has been made, though Liverpool coming in for Guehi could change that.
All parties will be eager to settle the situation well in advance of the September 1 deadline, but Liverpool are in strong position to negotiate the longer it goes on as Palace face losing their captain for free next summer.