Europa League Update: Palace Appeal & FK Arsenal Tivat Ban
Two major off-field stories have emerged in European football today that could have significant impact on the upcoming UEFA Europa League campaign.
🔒 Crystal Palace Appeal Against Europa League Expulsion
Crystal Palace, despite earning their spot by winning the FA Cup, were demoted to the Europa Conference League after UEFA ruled they breached multi-club ownership regulations.
- Chairman Steve Parish claims Nottingham Forest triggered the investigation and is planning to appeal to CAS “within 10 days” to restore their Europa League place 1.
- Palace argue John Textor, former owner, had no decisive influence and that the required trust arrangement was underway—just late—before UEFA’s March 1 deadline 2.
- Nottingham Forest have already been confirmed by UEFA as Palace’s replacement in the Europa League group stage 3.
⚖️ FK Arsenal Tivat Banned for Match‑Fixing
UEFA has expelled Montenegrin side FK Arsenal Tivat from all European competitions for 10 years following confirmed match-fixing in their 2023 Conference League qualifiers against Alashkert.
- The decision includes a €500,000 fine, lifetime bans for key figures, and a request for FIFA to extend the sanctions globally through 2034–35 4.
- Officials involved—such as Nikola Celebic and Ranko Krgovic—have received severe lifetime or decade-long bans from UEFA 5.
🧠Why These Stories Matter
- Regulatory pressure: UEFA is strengthening governance, showing zero tolerance for multi-club ownership conflicts and match-fixing.
- Competitive shifts: Crystal Palace's Cay for a UEFA spot remains in limbo while Nottingham Forest benefits; the landscape of European competitions is being reshaped.
Stay tuned as these stories unfold—emerging rulings from CAS and the wider impact on European competition draws could shape the season's narrative.
