Crystal Palace have strongly criticised UEFA and the Court docket of
Arbitration for Sport (CAS) for his or her demotion to the Convention League, claiming it was “almost impossible to get a fair hearing”.
Palace consider that “sporting merit is rendered meaningless” following the choice and that the method was dealt with in a fashion that led to “pre-determined outcomes”.
Palace have additionally referred to as for UEFA to contemplate each its rules and the applying of these guidelines and criticised the “unique privilege and power” of “certain clubs, organisations and individuals”.
Sky Sports activities Information has contacted UEFA and CAS for remark.
Palace, who beat Liverpool to win the Group Defend on Sunday, certified for the Europa League by successful the FA Cup in Might.
Nevertheless, they had been demoted to the Convention League by European soccer’s governing physique UEFA on July 11 after it decided that, as of March 1, American businessman John Textor had management or affect at each Palace and French membership Lyon.
Palace appealed, however on Monday the CAS introduced the London membership had misplaced their enchantment, with Nottingham Forest to take the place in UEFA’s second-tier competitors.
UEFA rules state that the place a number of golf equipment are discovered to have shared possession, they can not play in the identical competitors, and Lyon held on to the Europa League spot by advantage of their greater league place.
Textor has since offered his shares in Palace to New York Jets proprietor Woody Johnson, a purchase order accomplished in late July.
Palace’s stance, as outlined in a July assertion, was that “it’s clear for everyone to see that we are not part of a multi-club operation and never have been”.
On Tuesday, Palace wrote of their assertion: “Multi-club structures hide behind the charade of a ‘blind trust’ while clubs such as ours, who have no connection to another club whatsoever, are prevented from playing in the same competition.
“To compound the injustice, golf equipment that seem to have large casual preparations with one another are additionally allowed to take part and even probably play towards one another.”
Palace statement in full – ‘This should be a turning point for football’
“At a time once we needs to be celebrating our victory within the Group Defend at Wembley, the choice by UEFA and adopted by the Court docket of Arbitration for Sport exhibits that sporting benefit is rendered meaningless.
“When we won the FA Cup against Manchester City on that momentous day in May, our manager and players earned the right to play Europa League football.
“We have now been denied that chance.
“It appears that certain clubs, organisations and individuals have a unique privilege and power.
“This rising and unhealthy affect has shattered the hopes and desires of Crystal Palace supporters, and doesn’t bode properly for aspirational groups throughout Europe competing to progress when guidelines and sanctions are erratically utilized in probably the most flagrant method.
“Multi-club structures hide behind the charade of a ‘blind trust’ while clubs such as ours, who have no connection to another club whatsoever, are prevented from playing in the same competition.
“To compound the injustice, golf equipment that seem to have large casual preparations with one another are additionally allowed to take part and even probably play towards one another.
“While we respect the CAS tribunal members, the process is designed to severely restrict and, in our case, make it almost impossible to receive a fair hearing.
“The denial of all disclosure requests to acquire correspondence between the related events, the refusal to permit witness testimony from these concerned, and the overall lack of ritual and respect for regulation imply selections can’t be correctly challenged, resulting in pre-determined outcomes.
“UEFA’s decision has wider implications for the governance of the sport. A combination of poorly conceived regulations and their unequal application means our brilliant fans will be deprived of the chance to watch this team compete in the Europa League for the first time in our history.
“This needs to be a turning level for soccer.
“UEFA must fulfil its mandate to pass coherent rules which are properly communicated and applied, with reasonable cure periods to resolve uncertainty and consistent sanctions, treating all clubs equally with a proper appeal process.
“The European Court docket of Justice has made it clear that rulings just like this will probably be underneath higher scrutiny from nationwide courts in future. Solely then will equity and due course of be granted to each staff.
“Although we continue to take legal advice on the next steps, we will compete in the Conference League with the same determination and will to win that characterises this incredible club.”
