Chris Sutton believes Crystal Palace’s drop to the UEFA Conference League could serve as a unifying force for the club.
The Eagles lifted the Community Shield on Sunday with a penalty shootout win over Liverpool, but within 24 hours, their appeal to remain in the Europa League was rejected.
Palace had secured a Europa League place after winning the FA Cup last season but were sanctioned by UEFA for breaching multi-club ownership regulations.
“I don’t think it will necessarily impact the players — this is still the best period in the club’s history,” Sutton said on BBC Radio 5 Live’s Monday Night Club. “From a football perspective, Palace just need to move forward with the season. In fact, it could even galvanise the squad and bring them closer together.”
American businessman John Textor previously held a 43% stake in Palace before selling in June. He remains the majority owner of Lyon, another Europa League qualifier. UEFA had given Palace until 1 March 2025 to prove restructuring of their ownership, but the club failed to meet the deadline.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport’s ruling confirms Nottingham Forest’s promotion into the Europa League in Palace’s place.
Sutton emphasised there is still plenty to celebrate: “They’ve won the FA Cup, they’ve won the Community Shield. That’s special for fans. Focus on the positives — although this situation is far from ideal.”
Palace will now meet either Fredrikstad of Norway or Denmark’s Midtjylland in the Conference League play-off later this month.
