A group of Liberal Democrat MPs from south London has written to UK Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy, urging her to intervene after Crystal Palace was demoted from the Europa League to the Conference League by UEFA. The demotion, announced last week, was due to breaches of multi-club ownership rules, specifically concerning John Textor's stake in both Crystal Palace and Lyon. Despite Textor's imminent sale of his stake to Woody Johnson, UEFA deemed the move too late. Crystal Palace, the FA Cup winners, are expected to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, while hundreds of supporters, led by the Holmesdale Fanatics, protested at Selhurst Park on Tuesday and plan further action at UEFA's headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland.
Culture secretary urged by Lib Dems to act over ‘disgraceful treatment’ of Crystal Palace
Crystal PalaceSportsUefaEuropa League
AI Summary
TL;DR: Key points with love ❤️A group of Liberal Democrat MPs from south London has written to UK Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy, urging her to intervene after Crystal Palace was demoted from the Europa League to the Conference League by UEFA. The demotion, announced last week, was due to breaches of multi-club ownership rules, specifically concerning John Textor's stake in both Crystal Palace and Lyon. Despite Textor's imminent sale of his stake to Woody Johnson, UEFA deemed the move too late. Crystal Palace, the FA Cup winners, are expected to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, while hundreds of supporters, led by the Holmesdale Fanatics, protested at Selhurst Park on Tuesday and plan further action at UEFA's headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland.
Trending- 1 Last week (before July 16, 2025): UEFA announced Crystal Palace's demotion.
- 2 Tuesday night (July 15, 2025): Hundreds of Crystal Palace supporters marched to Selhurst Park.
- 3 Wednesday (July 16, 2025): Liberal Democrat MPs sent a letter to Lisa Nandy.
- 4 August 4: Draw for the Conference League playoff round.
- 5 Three weeks after August 4: First leg of the Conference League playoff.
- Crystal Palace was demoted from the Europa League to the Conference League.
- The club is appealing the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
- Supporters are protesting and planning further demonstrations.
- Political intervention has been sought from the UK Culture Secretary.
What: Liberal Democrat MPs urged the UK Culture Secretary to intervene regarding Crystal Palace's demotion from the Europa League.
When: UEFA announced the demotion last week (before July 16, 2025). Supporters marched on Tuesday night (July 15, 2025). The letter to Lisa Nandy was sent on Wednesday (July 16, 2025). The draw for the Conference League playoff round is on August 4, with the first leg three weeks later.
Where: South London, Selhurst Park, Nyon, Switzerland, UK.
Why: Crystal Palace was demoted by UEFA due to a breach of multi-club ownership rules (John Textor's ownership of both Palace and Lyon), which MPs and fans believe was an opaque and disproportionately punitive decision.
How: Liberal Democrat MPs sent a letter to the Culture Secretary. Crystal Palace is expected to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Supporters are protesting and planning a march to UEFA's headquarters.