European puzzle deepens at Crystal Palace: UEFA uncertainty continues as Woody Johnson investment awaits Premier League approval

Crystal Palace’s Europa League fate remains unclear due to ownership changes and UEFA’s multi-club ownership rules. While UEFA’s approval is still pending and Lyon’s situation is under DNCG review, the club has been forced to effectively suspend its European plans.

Uncertainty halts football planning

Following their historic FA Cup triumph, Crystal Palace are preparing to enter the UEFA Europa League, but the club faces significant uncertainty due to its ownership structure. According to Sky Sports News chief reporter Kaveh Solhekol, UEFA has not yet made a definitive decision regarding Palace’s participation in European competitions.

With pre-season training just a week away, the coaching staff and management still don’t know which competition they’ll be playing in next season.

This situation is particularly critical for high-demand players such as Eberechi Eze, Marc Guehi and Jean-Philippe Mateta. The possibility of playing in European competition directly affects their market value and decision-making in the transfer window. The club’s inability to make solid squad plans due to the ongoing uncertainty has disrupted their entire preparation process.

Parish and UEFA: firm stance against multi-club ownership

According to Sky Sports News, Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish holds a clear stance against multi-club ownership in football. Kaveh Solhekol stated,

“Parish is known to be opposed to multi-club ownership in football so he must be more frustrated than anyone...”

emphasising that Parish is arguably the most frustrated figure in the current turmoil.

Palace have reportedly received encouraging signals from UEFA indicating that American investor John Textor does not hold a controlling role in the club’s management. However, since shareholder John Textor also controls French club Lyon, the club is facing challenges under UEFA’s multi-club ownership rules.

While some have suggested that Textor had a say in Oliver Glasner’s appointment, Sky Sports reports that this decision was made directly by Steve Parish and then-sporting director Dougie Freedman.

Johnson’s Palace investment submitted for Premier League approval

Woody Johnson, owner of the New York Jets, has agreed to acquire a 43% stake in Premier League club Crystal Palace in a deal worth £190 million ($254 million). The agreement was made with current shareholder John Textor, and according to a source speaking to ESPN, it is currently going through the Premier League’s official approval process.

To finalise the transaction, Johnson must pass the Premier League’s Owners’ and Directors’ Test. The same source indicated that a public announcement is expected on Monday morning. The Premier League declined ESPN’s request for comment.

UEFA restriction: share transfer critical for Europa League entry

This development could directly impact Crystal Palace’s participation in the UEFA Europa League. By winning the FA Cup, the club secured a European spot for the 2024–25 season. However, with shareholder John Textor also controlling French club Lyon, the club faces difficulties due to UEFA’s multi-club ownership rules. UEFA does not allow two clubs under the control of the same individual to compete in the same European competition. This regulation, designed to protect the integrity of continental tournaments, has already impacted other multi-club owners in recent seasons.

UEFA has previously intervened in similar cases. For instance, RB Leipzig and Salzburg, both owned by Red Bull, were required to officially weaken their ownership and managerial ties in 2017 to be allowed to compete in the same European competition.

Blind trust transfer did not take place

In such situations, shares must be transferred to what is known as a “blind trust”—a neutral structure that allows shares to be held independently of the original owner’s influence to avoid conflicts of interest between clubs. However, Textor did not complete such a transfer by UEFA’s 1 March deadline. As a result, Palace’s participation in the Europa League has not yet been confirmed.

No public explanation has been provided by Textor’s camp as to why this transfer did not occur or why the deadline was missed.

Johnson emerges as key buyer in the process

According to previous ESPN reports, Textor aimed to overcome the obstacle by transferring his Palace shares, with Woody Johnson emerging as the leading buyer in the process. This reflects the growing trend of American investors looking to gain a foothold in English football—especially in clubs chasing European football.

Chelsea bid and sports investments

The 78-year-old Johnson has long been known for his interest in the sports industry. After serving as the United States Ambassador to the United Kingdom from 2017 to 2021, he became more active in sports investments. As a co-owner of the NFL franchise New York Jets, he holds significant influence in American football. In 2022, he submitted a bid worth approximately $2 billion to acquire Premier League giants Chelsea. However, according to The Guardian, this attempt failed and Johnson was forced to withdraw from the process.

Palace’s leadership structure and ongoing uncertainties

Crystal Palace’s day-to-day operations are managed by chairman Steve Parish in collaboration with American investors Josh Harris and David Blitzer. According to ESPN, John Textor holds only a shareholder position and is not directly involved in daily decision-making.

All these developments have caused considerable unrest not only within the club but also among fans. Many Palace supporters have taken to social media to express frustration over the uncertainty surrounding the club’s Europa League status.

European dream still on hold

Despite all the investment and governance manoeuvres, Crystal Palace’s participation in the Europa League is still not guaranteed. UEFA’s decision-making process is being influenced by the financial regulatory body of French football, and unfortunately for Palace, the club must continue to wait in pursuit of their European dreams. According to Sky Sports, UEFA’s final ruling has been pushed back while awaiting a decision from France’s DNCG (Direction Nationale du Contrôle de Gestion) regarding the status of Olympique Lyon. With the pre-season camp only days away, the club’s fate remains unresolved.