Nottingham Forest have contacted UEFA to raise concerns over Crystal Palace’s Europa League qualification, seeking clarity on potential breaches of the governing body’s multi-club ownership rules.
Palace secured a historic place in European competition for the first time by winning the FA Cup, defeating Manchester City 1-0.
However, UEFA is reviewing whether their involvement breaches rules designed to prevent conflicts of interest, due to their ownership structure.
The crux of the issue lies with John Textor, the American businessman who owns Eagle Football — a company that holds a 43% stake in Crystal Palace and a 77% controlling stake in French club Lyon.
Both clubs have qualified for next season’s Europa League.
UEFA regulations prohibit any individual or entity from having majority shareholder voting rights in more than one club participating in the same European competition.
If Palace and Lyon are found to be in breach, Lyon would take precedence due to their higher league finish — sixth in Ligue 1 compared to Palace’s 12th in the Premier League.
Forest, who finished seventh in the Premier League and currently hold a Europa Conference League play-off spot, could be promoted to the Europa League if Palace are disqualified.
Palace have defended their position, insisting they operate independently and are not part of a multi-club model.
They argue their European qualification was earned on merit, with no shared infrastructure, staff, or strategic collaboration with Lyon.
In contrast, Forest pre-emptively avoided UEFA scrutiny. Owner Evangelos Marinakis reduced his controlling stake in Forest earlier this year to comply with ownership rules, as he also owns Olympiakos and Rio Ave.
UEFA had moved the deadline for addressing ownership concerns to 1 March, and Forest acted accordingly, while Palace did not make changes despite the potential of qualifying through the FA Cup.
UEFA’s final ruling is pending, with the first Europa League and Conference League qualification rounds set for July.
