Lyon have been relegated from Ligue 1, but will this affect Crystal Palace’s push to play in the Europa League?
Palace qualified for the Europa League with their FA Cup triumph but faced concerns over whether or not they’d be able to compete.
Financial issues have sent Lyon down to Ligue 2GettyNottingham Forest wrote to UEFA regarding an alleged Eagles breach of multi-club ownership rules through co-owner John Textor.
Textor has owned a 43 per cent stake at the south London club and is also the owner at French side Lyon.
UEFA rules say no individual can be ‘simultaneously be involved in any capacity’ for ‘more than one club’ in one of their competitions.
However, it was announced on Tuesday that Lyon, who finished sixth in Ligue 1 to qualify for the Europa League, have been relegated.
As it stands, they will play in Ligue 2 next season due to their financial struggles after reportedly announcing debts of £422million.
Textor, alongside other Lyon officials are said to have met with the DNCG [National Directorate of Management Control] on Tuesday.
The DNCG monitor the accounts of clubs in France and they issued a provisional relegation in November.
RC Strasbourg, the sister club of Chelsea, finished seventh in Ligue 1 and could be in line to take Lyon’s Europa League spot.
If Lyon’s relegation was to be confirmed, Palace could be able to feature in the competition even if Textor was still involved in the club.
However, Lyon announced later on Tuesday that they were appealing the decision, which has frozen their relegation.
It could have an impact on Palace and their hopes of playing in EuropeGettyA statement from Lyon read: “Olympique Lyonnais acknowledges the incomprehensible decision rendered by the DNCG tonight and confirms that it will immediately file an appeal.
“In recent months, we have worked closely with the DNCG, satisfying all of its requests with cash equity investments exceeding the amounts requested.
“Thanks to the equity contributions of our shareholders and the sale of Crystal Palace, our cash position has improved significantly, and we have more than sufficient resources for the 2025/26 season.
“With so much cash liquidity demonstrated, and sporting success which has earned European competition in two consecutive years, we sincerely do not understand how one administrative decision could relegate such a great French club.
“Through our appeal, we will establish our substantial cash resources as necessary for Olympique Lyonnais to keep its place in Ligue 1.”
Lyon are in limbo but for Palace it means that the ruling on whether they are allowed to compete in the Europa League will be based on the premise of Lyon being a Ligue 1 team.
Talks over the sale of Textor’s shares in Palace have really ramped up this weekGettytalkSPORT reported earlier in June that Palace are expected to stay in the Europa League, with Textor not having a ‘decisive influence’.
And it was announced on Monday that Woody Johnson, co-owner of NFL franchise New York Jets, has agreed to buy his shares.
Textor’s 43 per cent take is worth in excess of £190m, and the deal is now undergoing the process of Premier League approval.
UEFA are now expected to ratify Palace’s participation in the Europa League by the end of this month.
Should they be given the green light, their European campaign will begin in the league phase on either 24 or 25 September.
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