Palace's Europa League path cleared as Textor sells to NFL owner

 

Crystal Palace’s surprise FA Cup win over Manchester City on May 17 had earned them a place in next season’s Europa League. However, that opportunity was put in serious jeopardy by a potential breach of UEFA’s multi-club ownership rules. John Textor, a major shareholder in Crystal Palace, also held ownership in Ligue 1 club Olympique Lyon, who themselves had qualified for the same European competition.

UEFA does not allow one owner to control multiple clubs competing in the same European tournament to prevent conflicts of interest. Textor owned 45% of Palace through his company Eagle Football Holdings and had full control of Lyon. This dual ownership triggered an urgent review and forced Crystal Palace to explore immediate solutions if they were to keep their hard-earned spot in Europe.

The club recognized this issue early and began working on it shortly after their Wembley triumph. Without resolving the ownership conflict in time, Palace could have been removed from the Europa League despite their qualification on merit. The solution had to come quickly, and fortunately, it did before UEFA's registration deadline. What followed was a major move that ultimately protected the club’s European future and ended a growing concern for both fans and club officials.

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Crystal Palace have been officially cleared to compete in next season’s Europa League after John Textor sold his 45% stake in the club to Woody Johnson, owner of the NFL’s New York Jets. The transaction is believed to be worth approximately €200 million (£171 million or $230 million). The sale removes the conflict of interest under UEFA rules, as Textor will now be solely associated with Lyon.

Negotiations reportedly lasted several weeks, during which Palace kept UEFA updated on the situation. The club was aware of the potential consequences immediately after their historic FA Cup win, and the pressure to finalize a resolution grew steadily. Johnson, with a reported net worth of $3.3 billion, stepped in as a new investor, marking another major North American figure taking interest in English football.

He now joins a growing list of American sports investors involved in UK clubs. That includes Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney at Wrexham, Tom Brady at Birmingham City, and Michael B Jordan at Bournemouth. Johnson’s acquisition not only keeps Palace eligible for Europe but also signals continued American influence in the Premier League.

With the UEFA green light now given, Palace can shift their focus back to football. After a memorable domestic cup run, they now prepare to compete on the European stage  something that had seemed uncertain just weeks ago. Fans can breathe a sigh of relief as the club gears up for what promises to be a thrilling Europa League campaign.