Crystal Palace’s worst Europa League fears have been confirmed after they were booted out of the competition by Uefa chiefs.
FA Cup winners Palace have paid the price for being in the same multi-club ownership group as French giants Lyon after the UEFA disengagement deadline of April 30.
Their fate was sealed on Wednesday, when Lyon won their appeal against relegation from Ligue 1.
Uefa regulations state that when clubs that are part of the same ownership umbrella, the team that finished highest in its domestic championship takes priority.
Now Uefa chiefs have ruled that Palace must play in the Conference League and make a European bow in a play-off next month – with Notttingham Forest promoted in their place.
And it will cost Palace an immediate £3.9m in Uefa appearance money – boosting Forest by the same amount.
