Crystal Palace Demoted to Conference League: Chairman Steve Parish Criticizes UEFA Decision

Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish has expressed outrage over UEFA's decision to demote the club from the Europa League to the Conference League, labeling it as "one of the greatest injustices" in the history of European football. The ruling came after UEFA determined that Palace could not compete in the same competition as Lyon due to multi-club ownership concerns involving investor John Textor, who holds stakes in both clubs.

Following Lyon's reinstatement to Ligue 1 after a successful appeal against relegation, UEFA confirmed Palace's demotion on Friday. The governing body's rules state that clubs with shared ownership cannot participate in the same competition, and any conflicts of interest must be resolved by March 1. However, Parish has vehemently denied that Palace and Lyon are part of a multi-club ownership group, calling the rule "crazy" and "ridiculous."

"We're devastated for the supporters, the players, and the staff," Parish told Sky Sports News. "This is a dream for us, and to have it taken away on a technicality is a bad day for football. Most right-minded fans will see this as a terrible injustice."

Parish revealed that Palace will appeal the decision and hopes UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin will intervene to restore the club's place in the Europa League, a spot they earned by winning the FA Cup last season. He emphasized that the rule in question is impossible for Palace to comply with, as the club has no authority to compel minority shareholders to sell or place their shares in trust.

The chairman also addressed the possibility of Nottingham Forest taking Palace's Europa League spot, expressing doubt that Forest would want to benefit from such a controversial decision. "Forest are a fantastic club with a rich history, and I don't believe their fans would want to take this opportunity away from us," he said.

Parish concluded by urging UEFA to reconsider its stance, highlighting the incongruity of the March 1 deadline and the broader implications of the ruling. "This decision sets a dangerous precedent and undermines the integrity of the competition," he added.