Crystal Palace has launched a scathing attack on UEFA’s multi-club ownership (MCO) regulations after their appeal against demotion from the Europa League to the Conference League was rejected. The club described the rules as “poorly conceived” and claimed they undermine the value of sporting merit while favouring certain powerful clubs and organisations.
The decision follows UEFA’s ruling that former shareholder John Textor held influence over both Palace and Lyon, who also qualified for the Europa League. Although Textor has since sold his stake to fellow US businessman Woody Johnson, Palace missed UEFA’s deadline to restructure their ownership to comply with the regulations.
Palace expects to lose up to £20 million in potential revenue due to the demotion but confirmed they will compete in the Conference League, facing either Fredrikstad of Norway or Denmark’s Midtjylland in a playoff. The club is also considering legal action against UEFA for compensation, arguing that the decision represents an uneven application of the rules.
They criticised the allowance for some MCO clubs to circumvent the regulations by placing ownership in blind trusts, while others, like Palace, are penalised despite having no operational ties to another club. Palace claimed some clubs benefit from informal arrangements that UEFA overlooks, creating a competitive imbalance.
The club also expressed dissatisfaction with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) process, accusing it of restricting access to crucial evidence, denying disclosure requests, and preventing witness testimony. They argued this created an environment where fair hearings are nearly impossible, leading to predetermined outcomes.
While UEFA’s updated rules now allow MCO clubs to participate in different competitions, Palace is calling for further reforms, including clear communication, reasonable time frames to resolve compliance issues, consistent sanctions, and a genuine appeal process. They believe this case should be a turning point for European football governance, urging UEFA to apply its regulations equally across all clubs.
Palace warned that such rulings risk eroding trust in the fairness of continental competitions and damaging opportunities for ambitious clubs to progress. They pointed to the European Court of Justice’s position that similar cases will face greater scrutiny from national courts in the future, stressing that only transparent, consistent, and fair processes will restore confidence in the system.
