Exclusive: Crystal Palace legal challenge faces defeat at CAS after UEFA ban
Crystal Palace may be forced to take UEFA’s ban decision to CAS if the governing body excludes them from the Europa League next season.
That is the view of football finance expert Dan Plumley, who told Football Insider exclusively that should they be excluded from the competition, it is “possible” the club could take UEFA to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
Despite qualifying for the Europa League after beating Man City 1-0 in the FA Cup final, Palace are in danger of being excluded from the competition next season.
John Textor is the majority shareholder of both the Premier League club and French side Lyon.
But with the Ligue 1 club also qualifying for the Europa League, both teams cannot compete in the same competition due to UEFA’s rules on multi-club ownership [UEFA].
Textor had the opportunity to put his Palace shares in a blind trust in March, but missed the deadline when the club did not look like they would qualify for Europe.
Nottingham Forest have since written to UEFA to express their concerns over the Eagles competing in the Europa League.
The Tricky Trees would most likely take Palace’s place in the Europa League if they are excluded from the competition next season.
Crystal Palace unlikely to win case against UEFA
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, finance expert Plumley explained that there could yet be another twist in this tale.
Palace could take UEFA to CAS if they European governing body does exclude the club from it’s competition.
But according to Plumley, the Premier League team may struggle to win their case after Mexican side Club Leon was excluded from the Club World Cup for multi-club ownership rules [The Guardian].
He said: “There are other clubs not just in England, but in Europe that are affected as well.
“They’ll be looking at how that plays out in terms of other clubs not being very happy about that.
“There’s then the decision of, could it go to CAS [Court of Arbitration for Sport], which is possible, but what we have seen with that is that CAS actually upheld a FIFA decision to ban a Mexican club from the Club World Cup [Club Leon], which is just about to start.
“And that was around a similar issue around multi-club ownership.
“FIFA and CAS have set a bit of a precedent there, and UEFA is in a really tough spot with this.”
According to The Telegraph, Textor is now considering three separate bids, including one from Donald Trump ally and New York Jets owner, Woody Johnson.
The American businessman understands the need to complete a sale quickly, with Palace’s place in Europe in jeopardy.
Crystal Palace plan move for Marc Guehi successor amidst UEFA chaos
Mick Brown revealed to Football Insider that Palace are confident they can beat the likes of Man United and Chelsea to the signing of Ousmane Diomande.
The Sporting CP defender is in high demand, but with Marc Guehi looking set to leave the club, Oliver Glasner’s side will need to replace their captain.
The former United scout cited the boost in finances as a factor in Palace’s confidence to get the deal over the line.
Should the Eagles be barred from entry into European competition, it may put a spanner in the works of their deal to sign Diomande.