‘A bad day for football’ – Parish laments Palace’s Europa League demotion

Steve Parish described Crystal Palace’s demotion to the Conference League as a "terrible injustice" and "a bad day for football".

John Textor’s involvement with both Palace and Lyon were deemed to have breached UEFA’s multi-club ownership rules, which state that two clubs with the same ownership groups cannot compete in the same league or competition.

Palace’s demotion from the Europa League to the Conference was confirmed after Lyon, who had initially been demoted to the second tier of French football due to financial struggles, were reinstated following an appeal.

Parish revealed the decision has left everyone at the club let down and distraught.

"Obviously we’re devastated," he toldSky Sports Newsin an exclusive interview.

"We’re devastated for, most importantly, the supporters. I think the supporters of all clubs should be devastated for us because this is the dream.

"You win a cup, actually win something for the first time in your history. Somebody said to me it’s like winning the lottery, going to the counter and you don’t get the prize."

The Palace chairman also believes the demotion is an ugly moment for the sport in general, and reflects badly on UEFA as an organisation.

"I’m devastated for the players, for the fans, for the staff. It’s a bad day for football.

"I think most right-minded football fans will see what a terrible injustice this is for the football club, one that I dearly hope somebody can remedy because I do believe that nobody in football wants to see this.

"I don’t think UEFA want to see this. Clubs that rightfully qualify for a competition being locked out of that competition on the most ridiculous technicality that you could imagine."

He also confirmed that Palace would appeal the decision to the Court of Arbitration of Sport but stopped short of saying whether it would ultimately be successful.

"We will appeal. I don’t want to prejudge [whether they’d win]. When I say we’ll appeal, we’re looking at all of the options at the moment. That obviously is one option. What we would much prefer is if somebody intervened in this process."