‘Nottingham Forest get Europa League boost’ – fans stunned after decision made
Nottingham Forest have received a major Europa League boost after a key decision has now been made.
Forest enjoyed a strong season in the Premier League as they looked on course to qualify for the Champions League throughout the majority of the campaign.
However, a late dip in form saw them slide down the table and end the campaign in seventh spot, just one point behind fifth-place Newcastle United.
Forest will still be playing European football next season for the first time since 1995/96, where they were knocked out of the Uefa Cup in the quarter-finals by Bayern Munich.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side will compete in the Conference League – a competition West Ham and Chelsea have both won within the past two years.
There is a chance Forest could be bumped up into the Europa League for next season as Crystal Palace are under threat of losing their place in the competition.
Nottingham Forest in line for major boost after Crystal Palace blow
Palace qualified for the Europa League after beating Manchester City in the FA Cup final in May to get their hands on their first-ever major trophy.
Co-owner John Textor’s ownership of Lyon has presented a stumbling block after they also qualified for the Europa League, with Uefa’s rules prohibiting clubs controlled by the same owners or directors from competing in the same European competition.
The governing body postponed a decision on whether to allow Palace to play in the second-tier European competition until after Lyon’s domestic appeal against their relegation to Ligue 2.
It was confirmed on Wednesday (9 July) the French side have been successful in their appeal and will remain in Ligue 1 next season.
That means Lyon are now expected to play in the Europa League, leaving Palace’s hopes of featuring in the competition hanging by a thread.
Fans have been left stunned by Lyon’s successful appeal after it was widely expected it would be rejected, with the Ligue 1 club reportedly needing to raise €200million (£173million) to reverse the decision.
Crystal Palace ready to submit instant appeal
Forest are in line to benefit if Palace are removed from the Europa League.
It is believed Oliver Glasner’s side will instead play in the Conference League, while Forest will take their place in the Europa League.
However, Football Insider revealed on 9 July Palace are ready to submit an instant appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) if the Uefa decision goes against them.
The international body, which is based in Lausanne, Switzerland, settles sports-related disputes through arbitration and mediation.
It is understood Uefa could rule on Palace’s place in the Europa League by the end of this week.
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