Wales defender Neco Williams could be playing Europa League football next season if Nottingham Forest get their way.
Williams was injured playing against Liechtenstein last Friday and missed out on the thriller in Brussels on Monday night.
He expects to overcome his suspected hamstring damage by the start of the new campaign, which could now be boosted in Forest’s favour.
The club Midlands club have formally raised objections to Crystal Palace’s participation in next season’s Europa League, citing a potential violation of UEFA’s multi-club ownership regulations.
The dispute hinges on Palace co-owner John Textor’s involvement with both the Premier League club and French side Lyon — two teams who have each secured provisional qualification for the Europa League.
Forest, who finished seventh in the Premier League and currently hold a spot in the Europa Conference League, would benefit directly if Palace are deemed ineligible.
Under UEFA rules, if two clubs with shared ownership qualify for the same European competition, only the club with the higher domestic league finish is allowed to compete.
Lyon finished sixth in Ligue 1, compared to Palace’s 12th-place finish in England, potentially giving the French club priority.
Forest argue that Palace’s current ownership structure falls foul of UEFA's guidelines, and that the south London club failed to take timely action to resolve the conflict.
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According to reports, Forest pointed out that Palace missed UEFA’s deadline to restructure ownership — a move that could now cost them their European spot.
Forest have written to UEFA with their own observations and to stress they feel there is a conflict of interest, because American businessman John Textor owns just under 30 per cent of the shares in Palace whilst also owning a stake in the French club Lyon.
Textor and Palace chairman Steve Parish reportedly met with UEFA officials in Nyon, Switzerland last week to plead their case, but left without a resolution.
One proposed remedy — placing Textor’s shares in a blind trust — was reportedly dismissed by UEFA due to the club’s failure to act before the deadline.
Meanwhile, Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis has experience navigating these rules. When Forest were in contention for a Champions League spot, he temporarily stepped aside by placing his shares in a blind trust to avoid clashing with his ownership of Greek champions Olympiakos.
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Though Forest ultimately did not qualify, Marinakis’ move was seen as compliant with UEFA’s framework.
Marinakis put all his Forest shares into a blind trust and promised to have no involvement in decision-making at the City Ground, to comply with UEFA rules.
Palace’s European place stems from their FA Cup win, while Lyon qualified via their domestic league position.
With UEFA’s Club Financial Control Body now reviewing the matter — and monitoring Lyon’s financial sustainability as well — the final decision is expected within the next three weeks.
There’s a possibility the issue could escalate into a legal dispute if UEFA rules in Palace’s favour. The draw for the Europa League’s league phase — the stage at which Palace would enter — takes place on August 29, giving UEFA limited time to reach a verdict.
As things stand, both clubs remain in limbo, with Forest pressing their case and Palace awaiting a final decision from European football’s governing body.
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