Subhechcha Ganguly 
Nottingham Forest will compete in the Europa League next season after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) dismissed Crystal Palace’s appeal against their demotion to the Conference League.
Palace, who qualified for the Europa League as FA Cup winners and recently lifted the Community Shield by beating Liverpool on penalties, were relegated to Europe’s third-tier competition by UEFA due to a conflict of interest involving their ownership.
UEFA ruled that, at the time of assessment, Eagle Football Group — then majority owners of Olympique Lyonnais — was founded by John Textor, who also held a controlling stake in Palace and had decisive influence at both clubs. Since both sides had qualified for the Europa League, Lyon retained their place for finishing higher in Ligue 1 (6th) compared to Palace’s 12th in the Premier League.
Palace argued they were treated unfairly compared to Lyon and Nottingham Forest, but the CAS rejected the claim. The appeal came shortly before New York Jets co-owner Woody Johnson purchased Eagle Football Holdings’ stake in Palace, and before Textor stepped down from Lyon’s board.
Forest, seventh in the Premier League last season, now replace Palace in the Europa League, while the Eagles will enter the Conference League qualifying playoff later this month.
