CAS sets date for Crystal Palace verdict over Europa League demotion

Crystal Palace’s European fate will be confirmed on August 11, the Court of Arbitration for Sport has announced.

The Eagles were demoted from the Europa League 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.

Palace appealed against the decision to the CAS, and the court confirmed on Wednesday that a hearing would take place on August 8, followed by a verdict on August 11. That is the day after Palace, as FA Cup holders, face Premier League champions Liverpool in the Community Shield.

UEFA rules state where one or more clubs are deemed to have common ownership, they cannot play in the same competition. Lyon edged out Palace for the sole Europa League place because they finished higher than Palace in the league.

Nottingham Forest have taken Palace’s Europa League place. Palace are seeking to take either Lyon’s or Forest’s place in the second-tier competition in their appeal.

Textor has now sold his stake in Palace, with the purchase of his shares by New York Jets owner Woody Johnson completed last week.