Crystal Palace Football Club have qualified for the UEFA Conference League for the 2025/2026 season. This comes on the heels of a decision from the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), which upheld their demotion. On August 11, 2025 CAS upheld UEFA’s earlier ruling. They took that opportunity to reallocate Crystal Palace’s place in the Europa League, a place the team had secured by winning the FA Cup only months before.
The resulting announcement that UEFA made on July 11, 2025, sent shockwaves through the footballing world. FA Cup winners Crystal Palace shocked league champions Manchester City 1-0 in the FA Cup final on May 17, 2025. This brilliant win earned them a place in the Europa League. Questions about what their ownership structures meant for the future of the team disqualified them from early European competition as well, a more elite group.
CAS Ruling and Its Implications
The CAS appeal process on the matter began in Lausanne, Switzerland on August 8, 2025. Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish had personally appeared at a high-profile, ten-hour hearing defended before three CAS judges. Despite their commendable efforts, the ruling found in favour of UEFA’s initial decision remaining in place. This means that Crystal Palace will now be playing in the UEFA Conference League rather than the Europa League.
Steve Parish made no secret of his anger and dismay at the club being lost during the appeal process.
“CAS have decided that rules are rules.”
The potential impact of this ruling is major both for the club’s future finances and its competitive position. Sadly, this reality affects their ability to compete in European competitions right away. It sets a precedent too for other clubs with predatory ownership facing similar battles.
“If we don’t get the right outcome, then we will have to look if there’s any steps after that.”
For Crystal Palace, their fairy-tale run to the Europa League all started with an unforgettable FA Cup victory over Manchester City. The triumph on May 17, 2025, was both a sporting and historical accomplishment for the team and their fans. The match took place at Wembley Stadium and showcased Crystal Palace’s determination and skill as they managed to secure a narrow victory over one of England’s top teams.
A Historic FA Cup Victory
After their FA Cup triumph, Crystal Palace could toast a second major success as they beat Liverpool to lift the Community Shield. That match ended in a thrilling penalty shootout victory that sent the U.S. New club captain Marc Guehi joyfully hoisted the trophy aloft with jubilant howls of delight coming from the away supporters. This triumph helped to cement the club’s newfound position as a competitive power in English football.
As with the CAS ruling now cemented, Crystal Palace need take no time in looking ahead to their next chapter in European football. The first leg of their Conference League tie is currently planned for August 21, 2025, at Selhurst Park. They will meet again in the return leg away on August 28. Their next opponents will be in a two-legged play-off against the losers of the Europa League qualifier between Fredrikstad and Midtjylland.
Upcoming Challenges in the Conference League
The league phase draws for the Conference League will be in Monaco, on August 29, 2025. These upcoming matches present an opportunity for Crystal Palace to showcase their talent on a European stage despite the challenges they face.
On 3 June 2025, UEFA representatives met with Crystal Palace’s executives in Switzerland. They talked through the club’s attempts to qualify for European competition, made in part because of ownership structure worries. According to UEFA’s financial fair play rules, clubs that participate in these multi-club ownership groups must follow stringent guidelines. Adding further difficulty to Crystal Palace’s situation was that the deadline for clubs to change their ownership structures had already come and gone on March 1.
UEFA previously met with Crystal Palace executives in Switzerland on June 3, 2025, to discuss their eligibility for European competition following concerns regarding ownership structures. As per UEFA’s regulations, clubs involved in multi-club ownership groups must adhere to strict guidelines. The deadline for clubs to adjust their ownership structures passed on March 1, which further complicated Crystal Palace’s situation.
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