'F**K UEFA': Crystal Palace Fans Protest Decision To Relegate Club From Europa League

Last Updated:July 16, 2025, 17:30 IST

Palace fans protested UEFA's decision to relegate the club from the Europa League to the Conference League due to ownership rules. The club will challenge the ruling at CAS.

Crystal Palace fans protesting the UEFA decision (X)

Crystal Palace fans took to the streets on Tuesday evening to protest UEFA’s controversial decision to relegate the club from the Europa League to the Europa Conference League.

The demonstration followed the ruling that the Eagles’ participation in the Europa League violated UEFA’s multi-club ownership rules.

Palace had earned a place in the Europa League after their sensational FA Cup final victory over Manchester City in May. However, UEFA determined that the club falls under the same ownership umbrella as French side Lyon, both of which are part of Eagle Football Holdings Ltd, led by American businessman John Textor.

This connection prompted UEFA to enforce its rules against multi-club ownership in European competitions, resulting in Palace’s demotion and Nottingham Forest—who finished just behind in the Premier League standings—being granted their Europa League slot.

Fans March in Anger from Norwood to Selhurst

Outraged by the ruling, Palace fans organised a protest march from Norwood Clock Tower to Selhurst Park, their home ground. Hundreds of supporters turned up, waving banners and chanting in defiance of UEFA’s decision.

One prominent banner read: “UEFA: Morally bankrupt. Revoke the ruling now."

Supporters also directed explicit chants at Textor and Evangelos Marinakis, the owner of Nottingham Forest, the club benefiting from Palace’s exclusion.

Ownership Conflict at the Heart of the Dispute

The controversy stems from Textor’s significant shareholdings in both Crystal Palace and Lyon. Though Textor has agreed to sell his 43% stake in Palace to New York Jets owner Robert ‘Woody’ Johnson, the deal has not yet been finalized.

Crucially, the agreement came after UEFA’s March 1 deadline for resolving multi-club ownership issues ahead of European competitions. As a result, UEFA considered the conflict unresolved at the time of decision-making.

Club chairman Steve Parish publicly condemned UEFA’s decision, calling it “a bad day for football" and “a terrible injustice." Palace are reportedly preparing to challenge the ruling at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in an effort to restore their place in the Europa League.

Lyon Wins Appeal, Palace Fights On

Ironically, Lyon faced a similar ruling but successfully appealed UEFA’s decision. Their reinstatement came after Textor stepped away from involvement in the French club’s day-to-day operations, a move UEFA accepted as sufficient to address the conflict.

Lyon had initially been relegated to France’s second tier due to financial issues but were later reinstated following their appeal.

Palace, meanwhile, are pressing ahead with legal action in hopes of overturning what fans and officials alike have described as an unjust blow to the club’s European ambitions.

Siddarth Sriram

After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His long-term...Read More

After training in the field of broadcast media, Siddarth, as a sub-editor for News18 Sports, currently dabbles in putting together stories, from across a plethora of sports, onto a digital canvas. His long-term...

Read More

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