Crystal Palace make decision on boycotting UEFA Conference League if they lose CAS appeal

Chairman Steve Parish has confirmed that Crystal Palace intend to compete in the Conference League this season, even if they're banned from the Europa League by UEFA. The capital club earned a spot in this year's Europa League by virtue of their FA Cup victory over Manchester City, but were subsequently dumped out by the governing body.

It came after Palace were ruled to have been part of a multi-club ownership structure that included French side Lyon. As per UEFA rules, clubs deemed to be part of an ownership structure aren't allowed to compete in the same continental competition, and as Lyon finished higher than Palace in their respective league, it was the Eagles who were demoted to the Conference League.

Palace have contested the decision and even appealed it to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, with Parish and Co. adamant their place shouldn't have been taken off them. But, on the topic of Europe, Parish revealed the plan is for Palace to compete in the Conference League, should they lose the appeal.

Speaking after the first hearing in Switzerland, he said: "It's been a difficult summer following an amazing triumph. We've got the Community Shield and whatever happens we'll be playing in Europe for the first time in our history - that's what's important. It will be good to get all this behind us and focus on the future."

For the latest breaking stories and headlines, sign up to our Daily Express transfer newsletter.

A verdict is expected to follow before close of play on Monday, with Parish saying: "It was a long day, very involved, very detailed. It's very hard to say [how it went]. They listened to both sides but I don't know.

"Given where we are it's hard to be confident because it seems dystopian to even be in this situation. Hopefully good sense will prevail and we'll get to the right answer."

Palace were forced out of the Europa League after a UEFA panel judged US businessman John Textor to have influence over the decision-making at Selhurst Park. Textor, whose company held a 43 per cent stake in Palace, is also involved in the operations at Lyon, hence the adjudged crossover.

The Premier League side had until March 1 to disclose any multi-club ownership complications to UEFA, but at that point Palace had only just reached the FA Cup quarter-finals. As such, by the time they'd triumphed against City at Wembley, they'd already missed the cut-off point and are now facing an uphill battle to retain their Europa League status.