UEFA officially demotes the English club to the Conference League due to the multi-club ownership scandal. A decision that sparks outrage.
Shockwave in European football! Crystal Palace, who had earned a spot in the UEFA Europa League on merit, will now only play in the Conference League. Why? Because of the ongoing investigation into John Textor’s multi-club ownership involving both Olympique Lyonnais and Crystal Palace.
UEFA has just released its official ruling: Nottingham Forest — who finished behind Palace — will take their place in the Europa League. A humiliating twist for the London club, and above all, a slap in the face for its fans, who are now paying the price for boardroom politics.
🧨 John Textor: Big Ambitions, No Vision?
Since entering the European football scene, John Textor has marketed himself as a visionary investor, building a football empire. But today, his strategies are causing real damage.
His multi-club model, already widely questioned, has now triggered concrete consequences. UEFA believes there’s a clear conflict of interest between Lyon and Palace — two clubs controlled or influenced by Textor. The result: a direct sanction, and a monumental setback.
😡 Palace Fans Betrayed
Crystal Palace supporters are furious. After a strong season under manager Oliver Glasner, they were dreaming of a genuine European adventure. Instead, they’re being relegated to the third-tier competition, the Conference League — through no fault of their own.
“This isn’t a sporting sanction, it’s political punishment,” one fan wrote on social media. And it’s true: this wasn’t decided on the pitch — it was in John Textor’s offices that the club’s fate was sealed.
⚖️ The Textor Model: A Threat to Fair Play?
This scandal raises a bigger issue: how long will UEFA tolerate this multi-club ownership model?
Textor holds ownership or shares in Lyon, Botafogo, Molenbeek, Crystal Palace… and more to come. This strategy of football conglomerates is becoming a serious threat to the integrity of competition.
When clubs under the same umbrella qualify for European tournaments, conflicts of interest are inevitable — and the credibility of UEFA competitions is at risk. The Crystal Palace situation is the clearest warning sign yet.
🔚 Conclusion: A Season Ruined Before It Even Began
UEFA’s verdict is final and brutal. And if one man is to be held responsible, it’s John Textor.
It’s not Crystal Palace being demoted — it’s the reckless business model of a man more focused on owning clubs than respecting the sport.
Instead of building an empire, Textor is creating a monster — and it may soon implode.
🗣 A final thought: When finance controls football, the fans are always the ones who suffer.
