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    Club left in ‘disbelief’ as appeal against Uefa expulsion from Europe dismissed in potential blow to Crystal Palace

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    ‘Devastated’ club kicked out of Europe by Uefa in Crystal Palace-style case as statement released

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    Island nation nine times larger than UK banned from World Cup as statement released

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    Nottingham Forest write to Uefa over Crystal Palace Europa League decision as they stand to benefit from Eagles ban

    NOTTINGHAM FOREST have written to Uefa over concerns about Crystal Palace taking part in the Europa League.Palace’s historic FA Cup final win over Manchester City booked their place in Europe for the first time. Crystal Palace’s European dreams could be ruined over an ownership issueCredit: AFPThe Eagles lifted the FA Cup at Wembley to secure a Europa League spotCredit: GettyBut complications around John Textor’s stake in both Palace and French club Lyon have resulted in the South Londoners’ spot being in doubt.Textor is the majority owner of Lyon and Palace’s largest shareholder at 43 per cent.Uefa rules on multi-club ownership prevent any two clubs controlled by the same person or group from competing in the same competition.The American could have placed his Eagles shares into a blind trust, as many other owners have done to avoid this outcome, though the deadline to do so was March 1.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLPalace have already met with Uefa in Switzerland arguing that Textor has no controlling influence at Crystal Palace.Both Palace and Lyon have qualified for next year’s Europa League, but the Ligue 1 side would have precedence as they finished higher in their domestic league.And now The Times report Forest are in contact with European football’s governing body to highlight the potential breach.The final decision could hinge on Lyon, who were disqualified by Uefa’s Club Financial Control Body from European competitions in December over their financial woes which saw them provisionally relegated from Ligue 1 a month earlier.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSBut they were allowed to continue in the Europa League, eventually dramatically dumped out by Manchester United in the quarter-finals, after complying with certain demands. Should Palace be kicked out of the Europa League, it is understood Nottingham Forest would be promoted from the Conference League and take the Eagles’ Europa League place.How Crystal Palace outsmarted Man City in FA Cup finalAnd should the Selhurst Park club be demoted to the Conference League, that will likely lead to a legal challenge from rivals Brighton – who finished eighth in the Premier League so would be next in line for a Euro spot.Whichever way the decision goes, Palace or Forest may well take the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.The City Ground outfit made the necessary changes to their ownership structure when it became apparent both they and owner Evangelos Marinakis’ other team Olympiacos could both qualify for the Champions League. SunSport understands senior figures at the club are confident they will be able to find an agreement with Uefa which will see them take part in the Europa League next season.The Club Financial Control Body are not expected to announce their decision until June 27 but a resolution could come sooner should Textor simply sell his shares.The 59-year-old has been looking to offload his stake in Palace for some time now following a breakdown in relations with chairman Steve Parish.Nottingham Forest and Olympiacos owner Evangelos Marinakis took the necessary precautions to enable his sides to be in the same Uefa competitionCredit: PAForest had to settle for a place in the Conference League after defeat on the final day of the seasonCredit: Alamy More

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    Tottenham qualify for Uefa competition no English team has ever won – but may end up not playing in it

    TOTTENHAM have qualified for the Uefa–Conmebol Club Challenge by winning the Europa League.But due to a hectic schedule, the North Londoners may not have time to play it.Tottenham lifted the Europa League trophy last monthCredit: GettySpurs ended their 17-year trophy drought by winning the Europa League last month.Their triumph will see them enter the Uefa Super Cup in August.Tottenham – led by a new manager – will head to Udine in Italy to face Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain on August 13 in a bid to earn more silverware.While the Super Cup is a well-known competition, previously won by several English clubs including Liverpool, Manchester United and Chelsea, not so much is known about the Uefa–Conmebol Club Challenge.READ MORE TOTTENHAM NEWSThe revamped competition was launched two years ago as a follow-up to the previous Supercopa Euroamericana.It sees the Europa League winners go up against the champions of its South American counterpart, the Copa Sudamericana.In 2023, perennial Europa League winners Sevilla fittingly lifted its inaugural edition following a penalty shootout win over Independiente del Valle at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan.The game did not take place last year, as Atalanta and Ecuadorian side Liga de Quito could not arrange a date.Most read in FootballBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKRacing Club are the Copa Sudamericana championsCredit: GettyThis year’s Copa Sudamericana winners were Argentine side Racing Club.Their club president is former Inter Milan star Diego Milito, who reportedly wants to set up a date with Spurs.Why Thomas Frank is the PERFECT manager for TottenhamReports in Argentina suggest that a game could be put on in their country or the US.But according to Football.London, Uefa chiefs feel that it will be difficult to find a slot in which to fit the game.Tottenham have already confirmed three pre-season friendlies set to take place in three different countries.The Lilywhites will face rivals Arsenal in a controversial “friendly” match in Hong Kong on July 31.They will then head to South Korea, where they will battle Newcastle United in Seoul.From there they will head to Munich for their third pre-season friendly with Bayern since Harry Kane’s move to Bavaria, which will take place on August 7.Thomas Frank is likely to be the man in the Spurs dugout, following Ange Postecoglou’s sacking last Friday.SunSport revealed last night that the Dane has agreed to take over following talks over the weekend.Read More on The SunFrank, 51, wants to leave Brentford for Tottenham, while taking members of his backroom staff with him.Spurs are currently advancing in talks over the Bees’ compensation package.Thomas Frank is nearing a move to TottenhamCredit: Getty More

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    Crystal Palace closer than ever to being kicked out of Europe as Man Utd trick to stay in Europa League fails

    CRYSTAL PALACE are facing complete EXPULSION from Europe next season after Uefa rejected a desperate ploy from club shareholders.The Eagles are facing the prospect of not playing in the Europa League, which they qualified for by winning the FA Cup, due to shareholder John Textor owning a stake in French outfit in Lyon.Crystal Palace are facing complete expulsion from Europe next seasonCredit: ALAMYOliver Glasner’s troops may not play any European footall due to shareholders John Textor and David Blizter owning stakes in clubs in the Europa League and Conference LeagueCredit: GETTYAmerican Textor also owns shares in Ligue 1 side LyonCredit: APLyon are also set to feature in the competition having qualified with a sixth-placed finish in the Ligue 1 last season.Uefa rules prohibit anyone from “simultaneously be involved in any capacity whatsoever in the management, administration, and/or sporting performance of more than one club participating in a Uefa club competition.”The prospect of Palace dropping into the Conference League is also nigh-on impossible as other shareholder David Blizter also has a stake in Danish oufit Brondby, who are set to play in European football’s tertiary club competition next season.In a desperate bid to see the Eagles fly across Europe next season and comply with Uefa rules, Textor and Blizter offered to put their shares in a blind trust.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLBut Uefa chiefs have REJECTED the offer, leaving Palace’s proposed European adventure next season in limbo.The proposal was rejected as Palace missed the registration deadline to submit it.Had it been approved, a blind trust would’ve seen a group of trustees take control of Textor’s shares in Palace for the 2025/26 season.English clubs aren’t strangers to utilising blind trusts so as not to fall afoul of Uefa rules.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSJohn Textor is willing to sell his Palace shares to ensure they can play in Europe next seasonCredit: X / OLManchester City and Manchester United utilised blind trusts last season as sister clubs Girona and Nice both qualified for the Champions League and Europa League respectively.Palace held crunch talks with Uefa to try to resolve the potentially devastating issue earlier this week.How Crystal Palace outsmarted Man City in FA Cup finalAnd the meeting on the shores of Lake Geneva ended up in Textor putting his shares in the south London club up for sale.He told The Daily Mail: “Look, all of the UK knows that I don’t have decisive influence over Palace. It was a good meeting.”They listened and we’ll see what happens. I wouldn’t be trying to sell (his stake) if I did.”Textor, 59, added: “”We are trying to help separate it and sell.”We wanted to buy but it’s become clear that isn’t going to happen and so we’re trying to help Palace and the situation with UEFA.”That’s about all I can say.” More

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    Barcelona face starting Champions League 2025/26 with POINTS DEDUCTION with Chelsea and Villa also set to be punished

    BARCELONA are facing the threat of Uefa sanctions after breaching financial rules for a second year running, reports claim.It comes after the Spanish giants lost an appeal in the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) over a £420,000 fine imposed by Uefa for wrongly reporting profits in October. Barcelona are facing severe sanctions from Uefa after breaching financial rulesCredit: APA CAS ruling in October said a second breach would lead to ‘harsher’ finesCredit: GettyThe CAS ruling at the time warned the club would face “harsher” punishments if they failed to comply with rules again.And according to The Times, they have been found wanting again under Uefa rules, and the La Liga champions are now due to be hit with severe sanctions.These could include a reduced limit on the number of players they can register for next season’s Champions League or even a points deduction in the league phase. English sides Chelsea and Aston Villa are also understood to have breached Uefa rules.However, because they are first-time offenders, they will be slapped with financial penalties only.Both have been in talks with the Uefa’s Club Financial Control Board (CFCB) over a financial settlement.The governing body of European football are due to confirm the sanctions imposed on each team later this month.Barcelona have tried a number of unorthodox ways to help them climb free of financial ruin. Most read in FootballBEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UKIn 2022, they sold 10 per cent of their broadcasting revenue over the next 25 years for £225million (€267million).They wanted to claim this as “other operating income” on the books, which would have counted towards their FFP calculations.Barcelona win LaLiga at Espanyol as fierce rivals turn sprinklers on to dampen celebration before Hansi Flick intervenesHowever, Uefa insisted it must come under “profits on disposal of intangible assets” which do not count towards FFP.Barcelona then sold another 15 per cent of their broadcast rights for £337m (€400m).But the CAS ruling means it cannot be classed as operating income, which is said to have been the ultimate cause of their latest breach.Barca made the Champions League semi-finals this year, losing to beaten finalists Inter Milan.Chelsea’s breach comes down to Uefa not counting the club’s world record £220m sale of the women’s team to a sister company on their books.This is in contrast to Premier League financial rules which do allow it.Uefa financial rules state clubs can make a maximum loss of £170m (€200million) over three years.Read More on The SunClubs also cannot spend more than 80 per cent of their UEFA-allowed revenue. But this will reduce further to 70 per cent next season. More

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    Fans poke fun at ‘best team in Europe’ Arsenal as they are 12th in Uefa’s rankings behind MAN UTD

    FANS are laughing at Arsenal after the Uefa rankings put them behind Manchester United.The Gunners fell short of silverware for the third season in a row while the Red Devils had their worst campaign in modern history.Arsenal sit 12th in Uefa’s coefficient league tableCredit: Shutterstock EditorialDespite a poor season, Man Utd remain ahead of themCredit: GettyAfter crashing out the Champions League to eventual winners PSG, Mikel Arteta claimed his team are the “best in Europe”.But the coefficient league table disagrees and even has Arsenal below crisis club United.The rankings take into account each side’s performance in the Champions, Europa and Conference Leagues over the last five years and it is used for seeding.Arsenal sit 12th overall with 98 points and Man Utd are 11th on 102.5.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLThe North Londoners’ run to the Champions League semi-final this season earned them 36 points.But their score has been hindered by not appearing on the continent in 2020/21 and losing in the Europa League last-16 to Sporting Lisbon the following year.While United’s performances across the five-year period have been more steady, featuring in every season.Despite victories in the Europa being less valuable than the Champions League, two runner-up finishes and a run to quarter-final is enough to prop them up just above Arsenal.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSAnd fans have mocked the Gunners, with one saying: “As if the best team in Europe isn’t even ranked top ten.”Another laughed: “Chelsea is still ahead of Arsenal despite not playing Champions League for two seasons.”Jamie Carragher in huge row with Gary Neville over Arsenal title prediction and striker claimA third commented: “This can’t be right, the best club in the world Arsenal are not there. They have been telling me all year they are the best the world has ever seen. Forget the trophies.”The updated rankings have Real Madrid out on top on 143.5, narrowly ahead of Manchester City’s 137.75.PSG’s Champions League victory earned them 33.5 and rockets them to fifth.Chelsea got 30 from their Conference League glory and they can still count upon the 33 from Champions League success under Thomas Tuchel four years ago.Outside the top spots – Tottenham are 27th, West Ham sit 29th and Aston Villa place 46th.Join SUN CLUB for the Arsenal Files every Friday plusin-depth coverage and exclusives from The Emirates More