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Crystal Palace Considering Legal Action Against UEFA

Crystal Palace are growing increasingly frustrated with UEFA over a delayed ruling on their Europa League eligibility, amid a multi-club ownership (MCO) investigation involving John Textor, who holds stakes in both Palace and French side Lyon.

BBC Sport have reported the Premier League club is prepared to launch legal action if they are banned from next season’s competition. Sources at Selhurst Park believe the delay is unfairly benefiting Lyon and could cost Palace their place in Europe.

UEFA was originally due to announce a decision by 27 June, but that has now been postponed until after Lyon’s domestic appeal against their relegation to Ligue 2 is resolved.

Despite being forcibly relegated, Lyon still retain a UEFA competition licence. If their demotion is upheld by French authorities, that licence would be voided—­potentially opening the door for Palace’s participation.

Palace officials feel UEFA’s choice to wait for Lyon’s appeal outcome dispro­por­ti­onately benefits the Ligue 1 club, giving them time to address financial concerns, while Palace are penalised for missing UEFA’s 1 March deadline to restructure their ownership.

Club executives are said to be particularly frustrated by what they perceive as preferential treatment for Lyon, rooted in Palace's lack of European pedigree, and are now considering a formal challenge depending on the final ruling.

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