MPs ask Nandy to Intervene over Palace Demotion

A group of Liberal Democrat MPs from London, including party chief Sir Ed Davey, have turned to Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy, urging her to examine UEFA’s handling of Crystal Palace’s exclusion from the Europa League.

In a letter obtained by BBC Sport, the seven MPs called UEFA’s move “disgraceful” and raised objections to what they described as an “unusual and severe punishment” that casts doubt on fairness and transparency in football governance. The letter added: “Other clubs seem to go through much more protracted disputes with less severe outcomes. Many believe that this process has been opaque and disproportionately punitive [and] risks undermining not only the club’s achievement but also public confidence in the fairness of football governance.”

Crystal Palace secured a Europa League berth by lifting the FA Cup in May, but on Friday, were removed from the competition by UEFA due to its multi-club ownership rules. The American investor John Textor holds a minority share in Palace and controls Ligue 1 side Lyon. Both clubs had qualified for the same European competition, prompting UEFA to enforce its ownership regulations.

UEFA required evidence of structural changes by 1 March 2025. Palace missed that deadline.

Party members urged Nandy to check whether “the decision-making process is reviewed for transparency and fairness” and that the club “is given a fair opportunity to appeal or respond to any allegations.”

In Palace’s place, Nottingham Forest — seventh in the Premier League — are now positioned to take the Europa League spot.

On Tuesday, Eagles fans marched through south London in protest, gathering at Selhurst Park with signs and chants aimed at UEFA. Club chairman Steve Parish confirmed Palace will appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

“We are still fighting,” Parish told The Rest is Football podcast. “There’s an appeal process, so we go to Cas, and we’re very hopeful. We think we’ve got great legal arguments. We don’t think this is the right decision by any means. We know unequivocally that John didn’t have decisive influence over the club. We know we proved that beyond all reasonable doubt because it’s a fact.”