The Telegraph reported that the complaint for Crystal Palace to return to the UEFA Cup was supported by key evidence. The European Club Association (ECA) sent an email to multiple multi-club ownership groups in October last year showed that the March 1 deadline used by UEFA to cancel Crystal Palace's qualification was not an iron rule.

The ECA, headed by Nasser, clearly informed in an email that UEFA allows the settlement of ownership issues by May 31st at the latest. However, UEFA announced last week that Crystal Palace had not resolved a multi-club ownership conflict related to former shareholder John Tuctor by March 1, and it was expelled from the UEFA Cup. UEFA Financial Control Authority insists that this early deadline is unchangeable, but increasing evidence suggests that this is not the case.

As the negotiator for the distribution of the game's proceeds with UEFA President Cheferin, ECA's policy guidance is often regarded as a reflection of the UEFA position. Although ECA declined to comment, it is understood that the email did reflect the results of the negotiations last October, while UEFA changed its position in November. It is worth noting that many clubs, including Chelsea, Barcelona and Villa, have recently resolved financial violations by paying fines, which shows that most clubs believe that the deadline is flexible.

Crystal Palace has completely solved the ownership issue by selling 43% of Hawks Football Group (which also holds Lyon) to US billionaire Woody Johnson, but UEFA still qualifies for Lyon on the grounds that "Tector once held stakes in Crystal Palace and Lyon at the same time". Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parrish stressed that Tector never had the decision-making power of the club and that the two clubs did not share any resources.

Nottingham Forest, which takes over Crystal Palace qualification, also has a risk of violations. Its boss Marinakis did not resign as the club's director until April 29. The matter was not pursued because Nottingham Forest did not qualify for the Champions League and avoided the same event as Olympiacos held by Marinakis. UEFA's refusal to disclose relevant documents has caused dissatisfaction among the three clubs that were denied their qualifications due to the ownership of multiple clubs.

UEFA has told the multi-club group that it accepts a confidential trust structure. Red Bull Group, City Football Group and Inex all meet the European competition requirements through temporary equity transfer. In 2023, Cheferin admitted to "turning a blind eye" to some multi-club ownership in a podcast, but refused to name specific cases.

Crystal Palace has appealed to the Lausanne Sports Arbitration Tribunal, and neither UEFA nor Nottingham Forest responded to a request for comment.