Apologies (it has probably been posted before) but initially i thought this was all going to blow over and was just a lot of noise due to the soccer off season and there not being much to write about. The main reason i believed this to be the case was that Textor only had 25% voting rights so he had no real controlling interest. However, at the time i was not aware of the relevant ruling which was the multi club ownership cut-off date was 1/3/2025 (Why then did Textor feel the need to sell his shares as this has no bearing on Uefa's decision) I don't feel Palace have much of a case as Textor has shares in 2 clubs in the same competition at the relevant date (though why this date was chosen who knows given it was before the European places were decided)
It looks like our only hope is if Lyon's appeal is unsuccessful and they get blocked from playing in Europe but this does not look likely given Textor now has funds ( Is this why is sold his Palace shares ?) to stabilise their financial situation.
Worst case we still get to play in Europe albeit in the lesser competition.
You're right, none of it makes any real sense, other than just a desperate attempt by Textor to persuade UEFA that it is in the best interests of the game to let Palace qualify. But Forest will then call foul on that, and would have every right to say:
We didn't make these rules, but we didn't break them, either.
Unfortunately, Blitzer's ownership of Brøndby rules out the Conference League, as well.
The crucial turning point was when the CFCB refused to rule in our favour, despite the fact that we can prove we are not an incorporated MCO club. I think UEFA have long been looking to make an example of John Textor, whose mishandling of Lyon's finances has been a major cause of concern for both them and the DNCG.
The March 1st deadline does then look like he was being set up to fail. Freeze your shares for a year, which prevents you from selling, or run the risk of disqualification.
It's almost as if Crystal Palace is now the sacrificial lamb that atones for all their sins! They know it is a huge injustice, but that very injustice will propel forwards their agenda, which ironically will probably be something very similar to the limited voting rights that John Textor had over Palace; but that will just turn their shares into the world's most expensive season tickets! In other words, nobody wants to say no to their money, but they all want the power behind that money neutralised. But everyone will agree, with much hang-wringing and solemn piety, that what happened to Crystal Palace must never happen again.
