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A group of liberal Democratic parliamentarians has urged the Secretary of Culture, Lisa Nandy, to follow what they describe as the “shameful” movement of UEFA to drop Crystal Palace of the Europa League next season.
Seven parliamentarians who represent the constituencies of London, including the leader of the party Sir Ed Davey, have written to Nandy to express “deep concern” for the UEFA decision, describing it as “a very unusual and severe punishment in the club that raises serious questions about justice and transparency in the English football government.”
Crystal Palace had earned a place in the Europa League by winning the FA Cup in May, the first great trophy in the history of the club. However, last week, UEFA announced that the team would compete in the League of the European European Conference, citing violations of its rules owned by multiple clubs.
These regulations prevent clubs with shared property or significant influence by the same individual or group to compete in the same UEFA tournament.
The American investor of Palace, John Textor, also has a controlling interest on the French side Lyon, which has also qualified for the Europa League.
Clubs had to prove changes in multiple clubs owned by March 1, 2025, a deadline that UEFA says that the palace did not meet.
In a letter, parliamentarians described the impact on the fan base as “heartbreaking.”
Last night there were great protests outside Selhurst Park after Crystal Palace was degraded to the UEFA Conference League after a failure on multiple club problems. pic.twitter.com/idgm77fddw
– Soccer in TNT Sports (@footballontnt) July 16, 2025
“Other clubs seem to go through much longer disputes with less severe results,” they wrote.
“Many believe that this process has been opaque and disproportionately punitive (and) runs the risk of undermining not only the achievement of the club but also public trust in the equity of football governance.”
The letter also asked Nandy to ensure that the process is reexamined for transparency and equity, and that “the club has a fair opportunity to appeal or respond to any accusation.”
As a result of the degradation of Palace, Nottingham Forest, who ended seventh in the Premier League, are now online to take their place in the Europa League.
On Tuesday, hundreds of fans of Crystal Palace took to the streets outside Selhurst Park in protest, marching with banners and singing against the UEFA decision.
The president of Crystal Palace, Steve Parish, confirmed that the club will appeal the UEFA decision in the Arbitration Court for Sport (CAS).
“We are still fighting,” said the parish The rest is football podcast.
“There is an appeal process, so we are going to CAS, and we have many hopes. We believe we have great legal arguments.
“We do not believe that this is the right decision in any way. We unequivocally know that John did not have a decisive influence on the club.
“We know that we show that beyond any reasonable doubt because it is a fact.”
