Crystal Palace's hopes of playing in the Europa League this season have been crushed after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) dismissed their appeal against exclusion from the competition.
The Eagles had lodged a last-ditch attempt to overturn UEFA's decision to bar them from European football next season, but CAS upheld the ruling, confirming Palace will instead compete in the Europa Conference League.
What Went Wrong for Palace?
The South London club found themselves in hot water after allegedly breaching Financial Fair Play regulations. While the exact details remain confidential, sources suggest Palace exceeded permitted spending limits during the 2023-24 campaign.
This marks a significant blow for manager Oliver Glasner and his squad, who had been preparing for their first European campaign in nearly a decade following an impressive seventh-place finish in the Premier League.
Financial Fair Play Strikes Again
The decision highlights UEFA's continued crackdown on clubs flouting financial regulations. Palace join a growing list of teams penalised under the Financial Sustainability Regulations (FSR), the successor to FFP.
Club chairman Steve Parish expressed disappointment but vowed to learn from the experience: "While we respect CAS's decision, we're devastated for our fans. This setback will only make us stronger as we rebuild for future European challenges."
What This Means for Palace
- Participation in Europa Conference League instead of Europa League
- Significant reduction in potential European revenue
- Possible impact on summer transfer plans
- Revised pre-season preparations
The ruling comes just weeks before Palace were due to discover their Europa League opponents in the group stage draw. They must now regroup quickly as they prepare for their Conference League campaign, which begins next month.
