Nottingham Forest Europa dispute takes fresh twist as Crystal Palace statement made
Latest Nottingham Forest news as UEFA saga drags on for Nuno Espirito Santo’s Reds amid Crystal Palace appeal
Crystal Palace have announced Woody Johnson has completed his purchase of a stake in the club, in an update with potential ramifications for Nottingham Forest.
The two teams are embroiled in a saga surrounding which UEFA competitions they will play in next season. Palace have been demoted from the Europa League due to an alleged breach of multi-club ownership rules, and the Reds are in line to take their place.
However, earlier this week it was confirmed the Eagles had lodged an appeal against their removal from Europe’s second tier competition. And it could be the news regarding Johnson aids their efforts to overturn their expulsion from the Europa League.
According to Sky Sports, Palace believe the official confirmation John Textor has sold his 43 percent stake in the club will ‘help’ their appeal. It comes after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) confirmed on Tuesday they had received an appeal from the Eagles ‘against UEFA, Nottingham Forest and Olympique Lyonnais’.
New York Jets owner Johnson has bought the shareholding of Eagle Football Holdings – the multi-club company owned by Textor. He joins chairman Steve Parish, Josh Harris and David Blitzer as a partner and director of the Eagles.
A statement from Palace said: “Crystal Palace Football Club are pleased to confirm that Woody Johnson’s purchase of Eagle Football’s shareholding in the club has now been completed. Woody joins chairman Steve Parish, Josh Harris, David Blitzer as a partner and director of the club. Woody Johnson – an American businessman who is co-owner of the New York Jets – has also now signed the Premier League ’s Owners’ Charter.”
Palace secured a spot in the Europa League with their FA Cup triumph over Manchester City. Meanwhile, Forest’s seventh-placed finish in the Premier League meant they had to settle for Conference League qualification.
But the Reds could be bumped up to the Europa League, pending the outcome of the Eagles’ appeal. The two clubs will learn their fates no later than August 11.
This week’s statement from the CAS said: “The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) confirms receipt of an appeal by Crystal Palace FC against UEFA, Nottingham Forest FC (Nottingham Forest) and Olympique Lyonnais (OL) concerning a decision by UEFA to remove Crystal Palace from the UEFA Europa League 2025/2026 due to an alleged breach of multi club ownership regulations.
