Europa League: Why Crystal Palace Could Be Banned Amid Talks With UEFA

• Crystal Palace could be kicked out of Europe if their showdown talks with UEFA on Tuesday fail to bear fruit
• The Eagles qualified for Europa League football next season after beating Manchester City in the FA Cup final
• UEFA rules on multi-club ownership could now see them barred from competing in Europe for the first time in their history

Crystal Palace have become the latest club to be hit with the prospect of being banned from European football next season.

How Crystal Palace qualified for the Europa League

Palace made history after they won the FA Cup to qualify for the Europa League for the first time ever.

Head coach Oliver Glasner masterminded a hard-fought 1-0 win over Manchester City at the iconic Wembley Stadium to secure silverware and European football for the club.

However, even before it settles in what they have achieved, the Eagles face a fresh, daunting prospect that could kill their dream even before it starts.

The club's executives are now set for showdown talks with UEFA to discuss the influence their owner has in other clubs. The issue stems from UEFA's rules on multi-club ownership.

The rules strictly prohibit two clubs that are owned by the same person or entity from competing in the same European competition.

"No individual or legal entity may have control or influence over more than one club participating in a UEFA club competition," reads part of Article 5 of the UEFA Act.

Who owns Crystal Palace?

This is Crystal Palace's problem as they are owned by American businessman Jonathan Textor, who has 43% of the shares.

Textor also owns French club Lyon, who finished sixth in Ligue 1 to qualify for the Europa League as well.

As per the above rule, both clubs cannot play in the same competition as Textor has an influential decision in both.

The rules further state that the club which finished higher in the league should be given preference while the other team drops to the lower competition, where applicable.

Palace finished 12th, and compared to Lyon's sixth, they will be forced to drop to the Conference League.

However, things get even murkier for the South Londoners as their other owner, David Blitzer, has a majority share in Danish club Brondby, who have qualified for the Conference League playoffs.

Brondby also finished in a better league position compared to Palace, which means Glasner's side will be knocked out of Europe completely unless they get a solution.

Why Crystal Palace may survive European ban

However, Palace fans can still hope to make their maiden appearance in Europe as there is precedent that could save them.

UEFA has relaxed the multi-club ownership rules in recent seasons to allow clubs owned by the same entity to compete in Europe, but the owners will have to agree to a couple of things.

As Mail Sport reports, Palace could argue that Textor's majority stake doesn't give him overwhelming voting rights in the key club decisions. They could also convince UEFA that his actively looking to sell or reduce his shares at the club.

Palace could use the Manchester United example to plead their case. This season, the Red Devils and Nice were allowed to compete in the Europa League despite being owned by the same person - Sir Jim Ratcliffe.

Ratcliffe managed to convince UEFA that he no longer holds a controlling influence at the French club by transferring his shares to a blind trust.

Who will benefit if Crystal Palace get banned?

Palace qualified as Europa League winners, but should they lose their place, Nottingham Forest, who finished seventh and qualified for the Conference League, will move up and take their place.

Forest's place will go to the team that finished eighth, Brighton and Hove Albion. This will particularly haunt Palace fans as they share an M23 rivalry with the Seagulls.

Why Manchester United are ranked higher than Arsenal

In a related report, Manchester United have been ranked higher than Arsenal in the latest list of updated UEFA rankings.

United registered their worst-ever season as they finished 14th, while Arsenal were second and reached the Champions League final.

Real Madrid held on to the number one spot, while both United and Arsenal missed out on the top 10.

Proofreading by Jackson Otukho, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.

Source: TUKO.co.ke