Palace About to Get Screwed Over in the Most Ridiculous Way Possible

By Lewis Barnett 30 June, 2025 5 mins read 46 Views

This is absolutely mental.

Crystal Palace are staring down the barrel of what might be the most bizarre penalty UEFA has ever handed out. And it's all because of John Textor's mess at Lyon. I've been covering football for twelve years, and I've never seen anything quite like this situation unfolding at Selhurst Park.

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The Eagles' Europa League Dream Could Turn Into a Nightmare

Remember that magical FA Cup final victory over Manchester City back in May? Palace fans were still singing in the streets when this bombshell dropped. Their hard-earned Europa League spot - won fair and square on the pitch - is now hanging by a thread because of UEFA's multi-club ownership rules.

It's like winning the lottery and then finding out your ticket might be invalid because your cousin's dog walker once worked for the wrong company.

The problem? Textor owns 43% of Palace (well, he's selling to Woody Johnson from the New York Jets) and also controls Lyon through his Eagle Football group. UEFA doesn't like that. At all.

Why This Whole Thing Makes My Head Hurt

Palace executives have been burning up the phone lines with UEFA's Club Financial Control Body, trying to argue their case. They expected answers this week. Instead, they got told to wait while Lyon sorts out their appeal against relegation.

The Eagles' argument? Textor had "no effective control" at Palace and there were "no links" to Lyon. Sounds reasonable, right? Wrong. UEFA's not buying it because Textor apparently didn't dump his stake by the March 1 deadline.

Poor Palace fans. They're caught in the middle of someone else's financial disaster.

Lyon's Mess Becomes Palace's Problem

Here's where it gets really stupid. Lyon got relegated to Ligue 2 because of Textor's financial troubles. The seven-time French champions - relegated! Textor's response was to resign as president and basically say "see ya later" to European football.

But if Lyon win their appeal against relegation, Palace will likely get demoted to the Conference League instead of the Europa League. It's like being punished for someone else's homework.

UEFA's Official Word (Translation: We're Still Figuring This Out)

UEFA released a statement Monday that basically said they're postponing everything until Lyon's situation gets sorted. They mentioned some settlement agreement where Lyon agreed to skip European competitions if they got relegated.

The statement promised "further details will be communicated in due course." Translation: we have no idea what we're doing either.

Textor's Exit Strategy

Meanwhile, Textor is already planning his next move. The guy who tried to buy Everton last year confirmed he's looking for "our next club in England" after selling Palace.

He said he wants to "focus on markets where we have the full freedom to run our football clubs... to invest, innovate, grow and compete." Basically admitting European football regulations are too much hassle.

Must be nice to just walk away from the chaos you created.

Palace fans deserve better than this. They won their Europa League spot the right way - by beating the best team in England when it mattered most. Now they might lose it because of backroom financial drama they had nothing to do with.

Football's broken sometimes, isn't it?

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Premier League?

Premier League, the highest-level football league in England, is also one of the best and most popular leagues in domestic football. It is played by twenty teams and follows a system of promotion/relegation in conjunction with the English Football League. The teams compete every year, each playing 38 matches at home and away. Typically the season lasts from August to May. The Premier League is known for its high-quality football, international array of star players, and significant global following.

What is the role of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) in the Premier League?

In the Premier League the Video Assistant Referee System (VAR) is used to help on-field referees make the right decisions in cases such as goals, penalty decisions and direct red cards. The VAR reviews footage of the incident in question and advises the referee, who then has the option to view a replay on the pitchside monitor before making the final decision. The system's goal is to minimize any human errors that may affect the result of a game.

What happens to teams who finish bottom of the Premier League table?

The bottom three teams in each Premier League are relegated, and this is done at the end of every season. The Championship, or second tier, of English football, takes their place. The Championship's top two teams, plus the winner from the Championship playoffs get promoted in their place.

Is the Premier League subject to any financial regulations or rules?

Financial Fair Play (FFP), also known as Premier League financial regulations, is intended to keep clubs from overspending and to encourage financial stability. These rules force clubs to limit their loss over a three year period and to ensure expenditures do no exceed their earnings related to football. These regulations are designed to encourage clubs to spend responsibly and maintain balance within their league.

How has Premier League developed since its formation?

The Premier League, which was founded in 1992 has seen significant changes. The Premier League was formed in 1992 as a breakaway group from the Football League, to capitalize on lucrative television deals. Since then it has become a worldwide sporting phenomenon. It now attracts top talent all over the world and undergoes brand changes. Revenues have also increased massively. The league also saw advancements in training facilities, stadium technologies and sports science.

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In the 1995–96 season, Manchester United achieved the largest title-winning margin, finishing 18 points clear of the second-placed team.
Alan Shearer is the all-time top scorer in the Premier League with 260 goals across his stellar career.
Chelsea established the Premier League’s greatest goal difference of +71 in the 2009–2010 season, showcasing their offensive prowess and defensive strength.
Manchester United holds the record for the most Premier League titles, having been crowned champions 20 times.
Ryan Giggs holds the distinction of scoring in 21 consecutive Premier League seasons, marking consistency seldom seen in such a demanding league.

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How to Collect Premier League Memorabilia

Collecting Premier League collectibles can be a fun hobby that connects you to the culture and history of your team. Decide on the type of memorabilia that interests you. It could be matchday programmes, autographs or rare collectibles. Visit online auctions, sports memorabilia stores and official club shops. When purchasing signed merchandise or other special items, be sure to check the authenticity by using accredited dealers. Consider investing in long-term storage or preservation framing for special items.