CRYSTAL PALACE face a unique penalty if Lyon win their appeal against relegation.
The Eagles’ Europa League place for winning the FA Cup is under threat due to Uefa’s multi-club ownership rules.
John Textor is selling his 43 per cent share in Palace to New York Jets owner Woody Johnson and also owns Lyon through his Eagle Football group.
And if the French club are successful with their appeal, Palace are likely to be demoted to the Conference League.
Eagles’ chiefs have been in talks with Uefa’s Club Financial Control Body to argue their case and expected a resolution this week.
But Uefa have put their decision on ice awaiting an outcome from Lyon’s appeal.
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The Eagles have argued that Textor had no effective control at Palace and that there were no links to Lyon.
He has sold his stake at Selhurst Park and resigned his post in France amid the club’s financial trouble, but Uefa are yet to make a decision.
But that might not satisfy Uefa’s Club Financial Control Body (CFCB) as it’s understood Textor did not give up his stake by the March 1 deadline.
In a statement on Monday, Uefa said: “The CFCB First Chamber has decided to postpone its assessment of the multi-club ownership case involving Olympique Lyonnais and Crystal Palace.
“This postponement relates to Olympique Lyonnais’ compliance with the settlement agreement concluded with the CFCB First Chamber for its breach of the financial sustainability requirements.
“As part of this settlement, Olympique Lyonnais agreed on an exclusion from the 2025/26 UEFA club competitions should the French authority (DNCG) confirm the club’s relegation to Ligue 2.
“Further details on this multi-club ownership case and this settlement agreement will be communicated in due course.”
Textor’s issues at Lyon saw the seven-time French champions relegated to Ligue 2.
The American responded to that punishment by resigning his position as president.
Textor – who tried to buy Everton last year – explained his decision to go in a statement.
He also confirmed his interest in buying another English club following the Palace sale.
Textor said: “On a personal level, I am truly looking forward to the reduction of my day-to-day management responsibilities in Europe, so I can focus on markets where we have the full freedom to run our football clubs… to invest, innovate, grow and compete.
“I will focus on Botafogo, Daring Brussels and our next club in England.”
Lyon have appealed against the relegation but will forfeit their place in Europe should they fail.
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