Ghanaian and Crystal Palace striker Eddie Nketiah will now feature in the UEFA Conference League next season after the club was kicked out of the Europa League over a breach of multi-club ownership rules.
UEFA dropped the hammer this week, ruling that Palace failed to sever its ownership ties with French side Lyon; both clubs fall under the influence of Eagle Football Holdings, owned by American businessman John Textor.
Nketiah, who is of Ghanaian descent, had joined Palace from Arsenal at the start of last season and played a key role in their FA Cup triumph scoring twice and assisting once in five appearances—sealing a historic European qualification for the Eagles.
However, with Lyon finishing higher in Ligue 1, they get to keep their Europa League spot, while Palace are demoted to the Conference League.
Palace argued that Textor does not hold decisive control at the club, but UEFA dismissed the claim. The South London club is now considering an appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Nottingham Forest could take Palace’s vacated Europa League place.
