“Crystal Palace Boss makes SHOCKING move to save Club’s European dream. Is he selling the club?
Crystal Palace Risk European Ban as John Textor Moves to Sell Stake
Crystal Palace are facing the prospect of being banned from European competition next season, and majority shareholder John Textor is now attempting to sell his stake in the club to avoid that outcome.
The Eagles are set to make their Europa League debut after securing qualification through their FA Cup victory. However, their participation is under threat due to UEFA regulations on multi-club ownership.
Textor also holds significant stakes in other clubs, including French side Lyon, who have also qualified for the Europa League.
Under UEFA rules, no individual or entity is allowed to have ‘control or decisive influence’ over more than one club competing in a European tournament. This puts Palace’s European campaign at risk before it has even begun.
Following a key meeting with UEFA officials on Tuesday, Textor revealed that he is working to offload his controlling interest in Palace in order to comply with the regulations and preserve the club’s European hopes.
“Everyone in the UK knows I don’t have decisive influence over Palace,” Textor told the Daily Mail. “It was a productive meeting.
UEFA listened, and now we wait. But I wouldn’t be trying to sell if I had that kind of control.”
“We’re trying to help by separating the ownership and selling. We wanted to buy more, but that’s not going to happen—so now the focus is on helping Palace through this UEFA situation. That’s all I can really say.”
Lyon, who finished higher in their domestic league than Palace, would claim the Europa League spot if Palace are disqualified.
Should Palace be moved down to the Europa Conference League instead, their place could still be at risk.
That’s because another Palace investor, David Blitzer, also owns Danish club Brøndby, who finished third in their league and would take precedence under UEFA’s multi-club ownership rules if only one team can compete.
