'Palace willing to do whatever it takes to play in Europa League'

Crystal Palace are willing to do whatever it takes to convince UEFA they should be allowed to play in the Europa League next season.

Palace are in danger of being removed from the competition by UEFA for breaking multi-club ownership rules.

US businessman John Textor owns shares in Palace and Ligue 1 side Lyon, with both clubs having qualified for the Europa League and that has put the Eagles’ place at risk.

UEFA’s rules ban clubs with the same ownership group playing in the same competition. In cases where a conflict of interest arises, the club who finished lower in their domestic league lose their place.

Palace finished 12th in the Premier League, while Lyon finished finished sixth in Ligue 1.

Palace executive chairman Steve Parish and Textor attended a meeting at UEFA headquarters in Switzerland on Tuesday to argue their case and defend the rights of both the Eagles and Lyon to play in next season’s Europa League.

Palace are believed to have put forward a compelling case outlining why they should be allowed to play in the Europa League for the first time.

The club are understood to have argued that Textor personally owns less than 30 per cent of Palace and all decisions relating to Palace are made by Parish and his executive team rather than Textor. As a minority shareholder Textor has a say, but Palace insist their board structure means Parish has the influential vote, backed by his partners Josh Harris and David Blitzer.

Palace have argued that they and Lyon missed the March 1 UEFA deadline to change their ownership structure because only a series of unforeseen circumstances has led to both of them qualifying for the Europa League

Palace’s FA Cup was the first major trophy in their history, while Lyon finished sixth in Ligue 1 after Strasbourg conceded a late equaliser on the final day of the season. Only after Paris Saint-Germain had won the French Cup did the European slot go to the team who finished sixth in the league.

Palace have told UEFA they are now prepared to take immediate steps to comply with their regulations to make sure they can play in the Europa League.

Textor has also made it clear that he is seeking to sell his stake in Palace because they are an independent club who do not fit into his multi-club ownership business Eagle Football Holdings.

Any breach of UEFA’s rules by shareholders, it is argued, has been a technical administrative error rather than intentional.

Other clubs who are part of multi-club ownership groups have played in the same UEFA competition, including RB Leipzig and Red Bull Salzburg, and Manchester City and Girona in the Champions League last season.

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