Crystal Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson says dropping the club from the Europa League would “devalue the competition” as they await the Court of Arbitration for Sport’s (CAS) verdict on their appeal against UEFA’s multi-club ownership ruling.
UEFA’s Club Financial Control Body relegated Palace to the Conference League in July because Eagle Football Group president John Textor — majority owner of Olympique Lyonnais — also holds a controlling stake in Palace. Lyon, who also qualified for the Europa League, were cleared to compete.
Palace lodged an appeal with CAS, with a closed-door hearing held on August 8. A decision is expected Monday.
“We win the FA Cup, we are justified to be in the Europa League,” Henderson told BBC Radio 5 Live after Palace’s Community Shield victory over Liverpool. “For football purposes, we deserve to be in the Europa League. It would devalue the competition if we weren’t.”
The dispute stems from Palace missing UEFA’s March deadline to resolve multi-club ownership concerns before securing European qualification in May. Palace have since agreed to sell Eagle Football’s stake to Robert “Woody” Johnson, co-owner of the New York Jets.
“I know the chairman has fought hard,” Henderson added. “Fingers crossed we are in the Europa League like we deserve to be… I’m sure they’ll see sense.”
