Crystal Palace have officially lodged an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) following UEFA’s decision to demote the club from the Europa League to the Europa Conference League for the upcoming season.
The club’s legal team submitted the appeal earlier this week, arguing that the decision is unjust and fails to reflect their on-field performance and rightful qualification. Palace had initially secured a Europa League spot after a strong Premier League campaign, only to be informed of their relegation to the third-tier European competition due to UEFA’s allocation adjustments and coefficient-based considerations.
A spokesperson for Crystal Palace expressed the club’s disappointment, stating: “We strongly believe our placement in the Europa League was earned on sporting merit. We are committed to defending our position and ensuring fairness in European football.”
The appeal to CAS is seen as a bold move, with Palace seeking not only reinstatement in the Europa League but also a precedent for future cases involving similar reclassifications. Legal experts suggest the case could set a significant benchmark in how UEFA handles qualification rules when multiple clubs are affected by reshuffling or disciplinary measures involving other teams.
While CAS has yet to issue a timeline for the ruling, a decision is expected before the start of European competitions later this summer. For now, Crystal Palace remain hopeful that their European dreams won’t be downgraded without a fair fight.
