Lyon will remain in Ligue 1 next season after winning their appeal over the relegation imposed upon them by the body which oversees the finances of French football teams, the club confirmed in a statement.
The decision means Lyon will maintain their top-flight
status, which they have retained since the 1988-89 season.
Lyon finished the 2024-25 Ligue 1 campaign in sixth, making
the Europa League alongside fifth-place Lille. Their qualification raised
uncertainty over Palace’s participation in the European competition next season
following their maiden FA Cup triumph, due to multi-club ownership rules —
relating to Textor’s Eagle Football’s involvement in both clubs — and Lyon’s
superior league placement giving them priority in participating.
UEFA had postponed its decision on Palace’s place in the
Europa League until after the decision on Lyon’s relegation and there has been
no update yet from European football’s governing body.
If Palace are barred from the competition, Nottingham Forest
— who qualified for the Conference League after finishing seventh in the
Premier League — would take their place. Palace would probably then drop into
the Conference League.
This changes little in reality for Palace, and serves only
to prolong their wait. Had Lyon failed in their appeal, there would be no
conflict and Palace would be in the Europa League. As it is, they will now wait pensively for
the outcome of UEFA’s deliberations as to whether Textor had decisive influence
at the south London club. If they rule he did, then it will be the Conference
League next season for them.
Yet it remains possible that both sides could compete in the
same competition. If UEFA decide Textor did not have decisive influence, then
they will be free to play in the Europa League.
An unsuccessful Lyon appeal would have been the best outcome
for UEFA and Palace, leaving no decision to be made. Palace’s hope initially was that Lyon’s
financial issues would preclude their participation in Europe and free them to
compete instead. That hope was well-placed given Lyon’s relegation last week,
but Eagle Football’s plan to turn those finances around was sufficiently
convincing and they were reinstated.
They strongly believe Textor has never had decisive
influence and maintain that position, so will hope that convinces UEFA.
Clearly, though, there is a decision to make, even if it ends up falling
favourably for Palace.
Palace are prepared to take their case to the Court of
Arbitration for Sport should UEFA rule against them.
There is concern at the club that the failure to admit them
already to the Europa League could mean the decision will not be in their
favour. Their initial confidence that
firstly Lyon’s financial issues would prevent the French side from being
granted a licence to participate in Europe and then that even if they were,
Textor had no decisive influence, has gradually eroded.
The waiting goes on for Palace, and as it does, optimism
begins to wane a little. I know that ‘rules
is rules’ but it would be a gross injustice if Palace had to play in the
Conference League. They won the FA Cup
against the odds and with it the prize of Europa League participation. Unfortunately, the football authorities are
not blessed with common sense.
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