Crystal Palace in Europa League: Eagles’ status in doubt as Lyon’s Ligue 1 relegation overturned | Football News
The hopes of Crystal Palace to play in the Europa League of next season are in doubt after Lyon has succeeded in their relegation of Ligue 1.
The seven French champions were struck by a provisional relegation in November after having accumulated massive debts, and although they have since sold a certain number of players from the first team, the French football watchdog The National Directorate of Management Control (DNCG) maintained relegation last month.
Lyon had also concluded a settlement with UEFA agreeing to be excluded from European competitions next season if their relegation was confirmed on appeal, a decision that would have almost certainly meant that Palace could play in the Europa League.
However, Lyon has now kept its status as a Ligue 1 following a call hearing and with their upper league position, they should maintain their Europa League place.
A declaration of Lyon on their relegation was overthrown, “Olympique Lyonnais is satisfied with the decision, taken today by the DNCG, to keep the club in Ligue 1.
“OL thanks the appeal committee for recognizing the ambition of the club’s new management, determined to ensure serious management in the future. The new management, supported by the commitment and dedication of our shareholders and lenders, is extremely grateful for all supports received inside and outside the club, in particular its supporters, players, partners and elected officials.
“We can now focus our attention on sporting goals, fully preparing next season.”
Palace fear nottm forest will take el spot
Palace thought he had obtained a place in the second-level club competition in Europe thanks to their final FA Cup victory against Manchester City in May, but uncertainty appeared to know if they would be allowed to enter due to UEFA multi-club property rules.
The former investor of the Palais John Textor also occupied a place in the board of directors of the French club Lyon, preventing the two teams from participating in the same European competition.
Palace missed the administrative deadline to withdraw the Textor – which has since sold to the American billionaire Woody Johnson and resigned from his post to the Board of Directors of Lyon – or place his participation in a trust by March 1.
Palace could now face the expulsion of its very first Europa League campaign, with the financial control organization of the UEFA club to decide if Palace has broken the rules of multi-club property.
Currently, there are real fears in Palace, they will be demoted to the conference League, Nottingham Forest taking its place in the Europa League.
If this happens, the palace should call.
‘Good news for Lyon – Bad news for Palace … UEFA must now decide’
The chief correspondent for news from Sky Sports Kaveh Solhekol:
“Very good news for Lyon, which is one of the biggest clubs in France – but bad news for Crystal Palace.
“If the relegation of Lyon had been confirmed, it would have guaranteed that Crystal Palace would play in the Europa League next season. As it is now – more uncertainty. We must wait until UEFA make a decision.
“It feels like they kicked the box, dragging their heels, waiting for the French football authorities to help them may relegate Lyon, but that did not happen.
“So the ball is back in the UEFA courtyard, and they must make a decision because there is so much uncertainty at Crystal Palace.
“Players come back to pre-season training today [Wednesday]They do not know which combination of competitions they will play next season. Will they play in the Europa League? Will they play in the conference league?
“Players who could potentially leave, how can Crystal Palace convince them to stay if they can’t tell them what competitions they will play next season?
“When it comes to buying players, how can Crystal Palace convince players to move to Selhurst Park when they don’t know it?
“UEFA must make a decision, and quickly. If it goes against Crystal Palace, I think they will certainly call.”
