Breaking - UEFA make Europa League decision as Nottingham Forest learn their fate
by Keith Wales · NottinghamshireLiveNottingham Forest look certain to play in the Europa League next season after UEFA announced their ruling on Crystal Palace's participation.
The move comes after Lyon won an appeal against their relegation to the French second division, a decision which ultimately put Crystal Palace’s participation in next season’s Europa League at an end and looks likely to usher in Forest’s promotion from the Europa Conference League.
Palace thought they had secured a place in Europe’s second-tier club competition thanks to their FA Cup final win over Manchester City in May, but uncertainty quickly arose as to whether they would be allowed to enter due to UEFA’s multi-club ownership rules.
Outgoing Palace shareholder John Textor also has an interest in Lyon, who qualified for the same competition. However, even though they finished sixth in the French top-flight, Lyon were relegated to Ligue 2 over financial irregularities, a decision overturned earlier this week.
Lyon’s appeal success and higher relative league position means Palace are moved down to the Conference League. Sources close to UEFA had previously indicated that Forest will take the English spot in the Europa League vacated by Palace. The statement does not specifically name Forest - but it seems certain will replace Palace, who are free to appeal against today's ruling.
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The UEFA statement reads: "The CFCB First Chamber had opened proceedings against Crystal Palace and Olympique Lyonnais due to a potential conflict with the multi-club ownership rule provided for in Article 5 of the UEFA Club Competitions Regulations.
"On 9 July 2025, the appeal instance of the French financial control authority (DNCG) decided not to relegate Olympique Lyonnais to Ligue 2. Consequently, and following an assessment by the CFCB of all the other relevant conditions included in the settlement agreement, Olympique Lyonnais will not be excluded from the 2025/26 UEFA club competitions (see media release of 30 June 2025).
"Consequently, the CFCB First Chamber pursued the assessment of the documentation submitted by Olympique Lyonnais and Crystal Palace and concluded that the clubs breached, as at 1 March 2025, the multi-club ownership criteria foreseen in Art 5.01 of the UEFA Club Competition Regulations.
"For this reason, and in accordance with the provisions set in Art. 5.02, 5.03 and 5.04 of the UEFA Club Competitions Regulations, the CFCB First Chamber decided:
• To accept Olympique Lyonnais’ admission to the 2025/26 UEFA Europa League; and
• To reject Crystal Palace’s admission to the 2025/26 UEFA Europa League and to accept Crystal Palace’s admission to the 2025/26 UEFA Conference League.
"The present decision may be appealed against before the Court of Arbitration for Sport, in accordance with Articles 62 and 63 of the UEFA Statutes."
Palace’s case has been examined under article five of UEFA’s club competition regulations, which state that as of March 1 this year, clubs wishing to be eligible for qualification in 2025-26 had to be able to demonstrate that no individual or legal entity had control or influence over more than one club participating in the same competition.
Where two or more clubs fail to meet the criteria, only one can be entered.
The Reds’ superb 2024/25 Premier League campaign saw them qualify to play in the Europa Conference League next season, but the controversy at Lyon and Selhurst Park means they look certain to be elevated to take part in UEFA’s second-ranked competition instead.
Textor is in the process of selling his shares in the London side. It was announced last week that he had also resigned from his leadership positions at Lyon as well.