The Eagles, whose FA Cup victory earned their place in the Europa League, were instead demoted to the Conference League by European football’s governing body UEFA on July 11 after it determined that as of March 1, American businessman John Textor had control or influence at Palace and French club Lyon. UEFA rules state that one or more clubs deemed to have common ownership cannot play in the same competition, with Lyon edging out Palace for the sole Europa League place because of their comparatively higher league finish last season.
