UEFA’s Club Financial Control Body (CFCB) has rejected Crystal Palace’s entry to the 2025-26 Europa League, citing a breach of Article 5.01 on multi-club ownership. The FA Cup holders will instead be placed in the Europa Conference League, while Olympique Lyonnais – whose ownership also falls under investor John Textor – is cleared to participate in the Europa League. Nottingham Forest is set to take Palace’s vacated slot in Europe’s second-tier competition. The decision closes a two-week saga that began on 30 June, when UEFA postponed its ruling until France’s financial watchdog ruled on Lyon’s domestic relegation. Lyon won that appeal on 9 July and kept its Ligue 1 status, prompting UEFA to complete its assessment of both clubs’ ownership structures. The CFCB found that, as of 1 March 2025, Textor’s Eagle Football Holdings exercised decisive influence over Crystal Palace and Lyon, placing them in the same European tournament in violation of the regulations. Crystal Palace said it will lodge an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport, arguing that Textor has resigned from Lyon’s board and agreed to sell his 39-per-cent stake in the south London club. Until a ruling is overturned, however, Palace will compete in the Conference League, and Lyon and Forest will enter the Europa League when the new European season begins in August.