Crystal Palace have been drawn against either Norwegian side Fredrikstad or Denmark’s Midtjylland in the Europa Conference League play-off round, despite their ongoing legal battle over demotion from the Europa League.
UEFA dropped Palace into the Conference League after ruling they breached multi-club ownership regulations. Until July, American investor John Textor held stakes in both Palace and French side Lyon, who have also qualified for the Europa League. UEFA rules prohibit clubs under shared ownership or influence from competing in the same European competition.
The deadline to rectify such ownership structures was 1 March 2025, a date Palace failed to meet, prompting UEFA's sanction.
Palace have appealed the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), with a hearing set for 8 August and a verdict expected on 11 August. The appeal challenges UEFA's ruling and also involves Lyon and Nottingham Forest. Forest, who finished seventh in the Premier League last season, stand to take Palace’s Europa League spot if the demotion is upheld.
Despite the legal uncertainty, Palace's name was included in the Europa Conference League play-off draw. They will face either Fredrikstad or Midtjylland, with the first leg at Selhurst Park on 21 August and the return leg on 28 August. The winner will advance to the competition's League phase.
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