Palace challenges CAS ruling on demotion

Crystal Palace attend a Court of Arbitration for Sport hearing to overturn their demotion from the Europa League to the Conference League.

Palace fights CAS ruling on Europa League demotion

Crystal Palace arrived in Lausanne early for a Court of Arbitration for Sport hearing aimed at overturning their demotion from the Europa League to the Europa Conference League. Seven members of the club’s delegation, led by chairman Steve Parish, walked into the CAS building before the session began at 8 am GMT. Parish told reporters he expected a fair hearing and that the club would press its case, arguing UEFA’s ruling misapplied the rules on multi club ownership.

Palace were relegated after UEFA ruled that John Textor, who held a 43 percent stake and had influence at Selhurst Park, also owned Lyon, which took priority in that season’s standings. Textor has since sold his stake. Palace plan to argue that UEFA treated similar situations differently and they request UEFA remove either Lyon or Nottingham Forest from the competition. Nottingham Forest are sending legal representation to the hearing. The panel consists of three experienced members from different fields, and the process is expected to run into the afternoon with a verdict due on Monday.

This case tests how football’s governing rules are applied when ownership links cross club borders. Palace’s insistence on possible double standards highlights a broader debate about fairness and consistency in sanctions. The panel’s composition a Swiss fencer, a Dutch lawyer and an Italian professor underlines how sport law operates with international expertise. Whatever the outcome, the decision will influence future disputes over ownership networks and regulatory reach across European competitions.

Highlights

The ruling will reverberate beyond one club and one season, shaping governance norms for years to come.