Crystal Palace fan group Holmesdale Fanatics vow to continue protests as the club submit appeal against demotion from the Europa League.
Palace has appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport against their demotion from the Europa League to the Conference League, challenging UEFA, Lyon, and Nottingham Forest.
The punishment was handed out on the basis of breaching UEFA’s multi-club ownership rules, as American businessman John Textor owns stakes in both Palace and Lyon, who also qualified for the Europa League.
If the punishment stands, Nottingham Forest, who finished 7th in the Premier League, would replace Palace in the Europa League.
Palace seeks to annul UEFA’s decision and be reinstated in the Europa League, arguing Textor lacks decisive influence over the club.
UEFA rejected this defense, citing a missed March 1st, 2025, deadline for proving ownership restructuring.
A decision is expected by August 11th, 2025, before the Europa League group stage starts on September 24th.
‘UEFA: Morally bankrupt. Revoke the ruling now.’ pic.twitter.com/JDeoAZtIyx
— Holmesdale Fanatics (@ultrascpfc) July 18, 2025
“There are clubs where we pretend it’s not the same owner but it’s the same owner. I will not tell you which, you can guess.”
UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin on multi-club ownership. pic.twitter.com/LYZSOLV1HT
— Holmesdale Road (@holmesdale_road) July 20, 2025
The protests will continue. pic.twitter.com/OtrPeAU1yM
— Holmesdale Fanatics (@ultrascpfc) July 22, 2025
They wrote: “Members of the group travelled to UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland to protest the club’s unjust expulsion from the Europa League.
“We gained access to the building to hand deliver a letter addressed to UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin demanding a reversal of this moral injustice and Palace’s reinstatement to the competition.
“Accompanying the letter we symbolically presented UEFA with a suitcase of fake cash representing the contradictions between their supposed “fundamental values” of integrity and fairness, and the reality of their business methods and general conduct.
“Following this, we then travelled to the Court Of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) headquarters in Lausanne to remind their organisation that this ruling can and should be overturned.
“The protests against those responsible will continue.
“REINSTATE PALACE NOW.”
Speaking to The Rest is Football, Palace chairman Steve Parish said he was “very hopeful” the decision would be overturned.
“We don’t think this is the right decision by any means. We know, unequivocally, that John [Textor] didn’t have decisive influence over the club,” he said.
“We know we proved that beyond all reasonable doubt because it’s a fact.”
On the 19th of July, John Curran from Holmesdale Fanatics spoke with Sky Sports News. The reporter asked: “You call it a moral injustice, but, of course, Steve Parrish described it as well as the biggest injustice in football history. That’s what he feels about it.
“I mean, how important is it that the fans continue to put the pressure? I mean, not just bringing this to the to the media or to the like, but putting the pressure on the decision makers.”
John: “Yeah. Absolutely. We released a statement a few days ago saying that these protests are not just about Crystal Palace Football Club.
“We openly welcome, the involvement of fans from other clubs because, as stated, this is something that many clubs would dream of doing, winning the FA Cup and going into Europe.
“And for that prize to be taken away from us is fundamentally wrong, and the issues here that are taking place are bigger than one football club and bigger than Crystal Palace.”
Reporter: “Even so much so that, obviously, Palace are expected to take, the case to the courts of arbitration for sport. Are you hopeful that they they could win the appeal then?”
John: “Yeah. We’re hopeful of winning it, but at the same time, regardless of the outcome, the protest will continue both inside and outside the stadium against UEFA and those that we feel have altered the culture of football in this country in a very negative direction over the last thirty years.”
Reporter: “Here’s the question now. Parrish said the rules favour the bigger clubs. Do you think this would have happened to one of Europe’s big clubs?”
John: “I have to agree with, mister Parrish on that point. I think that there’s quite clearly a small cartel of clubs who had a disproportionate amount of, influence on behind closed door situations happening in Europe.
“I think if Manchester City or Real Madrid were in this position, we wouldn’t be talking about this as much as we have been.
“They would have been sorted out already.
“These rulings that are in place are not designed to stop Crystal Palace, who are not a multi club ownership team.
“There are teams sponsored by Red Bull who are playing with the same name and the within the tournament.
“And I have to agree with the statement that I have.”
Reporter: “Do you feel that it’s, I guess, taking the the shine off winning the cup? I mean, has it put a damper on the achievement? Because there was so much excitement, wasn’t it, for qualifying for Europe for the first time?”
John: “Look. That excitement’s still absolutely there. It’s been the dream of generations of Palace fans to play in Europe.
“And that moment of winning the FA Cup, being Manchester City in the final, and doing it in a manner that Palace fans did with such a great atmosphere and displays that were fan organised, fan funded, and fan created means that we have that moment, individually as fans and collectively for the rest of our lives.
“At the same time, we clearly understand that we need to right this injustice, and we’ll continue to take to the streets and the stadium to ensure that the outcome is, beneficial to Crystal Palace.”
Reporter: “There’s been a bit of an argument. Palace, not pretty good chance of winning the conference league if you guys end up playing in that competition. What are your thoughts on that?”
John: “I think that that detracts from the issues at hand, really, and we’re not thinking about that at all. At the minute, the the ruling is still there to be won.
“And as I said, the process will continue in to ensure that the CAS and UEFA understand the magnitude and severity of this ruling, not only to Palace fans but to football fans across The UK and indeed Europe.”
Crystal Palace fans react to those ‘laughing or scoffing’ at protest outside Selhurst Park
Steve Parish slams ‘injustice’ UEFA ruling as Crystal Palace are demoted from Europa League
Nottingham Forest fans react to Crystal Palace being demoted to the UEFA Conference League
Here’s how Twitter users reacted as the Crystal Palace fan group vow to continue protests while the club submit an appeal against Europa demotion…
@HarryBecks1: The message is clear. Time for CAS to do the right thing.
@Alitheeagle1: Even if we win at CAS it must continue. UEFA have shown what a two tiered shambles of an organisation they are. They do not govern the game fairly with one rule for certain clubs and another for others. Revoke the ruling @UEFA #CPFC
@jaseiles: You have to rate the dedication, fair fucks lads
@HC15OnTour: Absolutely superb effort lads 👏 Football is no longer decided on a football pitch 🔴🔵⚫️🦅👊🏼
@bhafc_raz: how does one balance a job and this
@ItsJackLaws: Gaining access to UEFA HQ is some going 😂
@MWBP7: Great stuff, the guy running out from the bush is a great addition.
@rtaylor96_: Getting into UEFA HQ is some going 😂
@Markf55525: CAS it’s time to fix UEFA mistakes. Reinstate palace into the europa league
@HolmesdaleView: UEFA must take accountability for their actions and govern the game through merit and not finances #CPFC
@JontyCPFC: God I love them.
@CPFC_88: Gaining access to UEFA HQ is sensational- Well in fellas 👏
@GBecks_1312: Time to do the right thing. Reinstate palace back into Europa league
@JxmesCPFC: You’ve got to rate it really 😂😂
@StewieL1: Time for UEFA and CAS to do the right thing! Reinstate Palace into the Europa League!!!
@peterlndn: how did they get inside uefa hq 😂😂 also, this is the one time i’ll ever see a hf member in a suit. jokes aside, well done lads. REVOKE THE RULING
😂😂😂😂😂 the guy in the back https://t.co/Brz5kRwU3c pic.twitter.com/8RqeDABTOt
— Jacob Stockton (@JacobStockton) July 22, 2025
