GENEVA — Omo, no be small wahala for Crystal Palace as dem lose dem appeal on Monday wey carry dem demote to the third-tier Conference League. Na wetin happen when dem breach UEFA rules on club ownership wey involve American investor John Textor. The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) just clear dem way no be small.
Dem judges just dismiss the English cup winner request to remain for the more lucrative second-tier Europa League. This wahala don scatter as Nottingham Forest and Lyon don japa go enjoy enter Europa League direct this September while Palace go dey hustle for Conference League qualifying playoff next week. As e be, dem draw dem to face Fredrikstad of Norway or Midtjylland of Denmark for August 21 and August 28. Na gift? I no sabi!
How e take happen? Na for when Lyon escape dem relegation for France due to financial wahala. Palace find demself for this gbege because Textor hold 43% of dem last season while e dey also own Lyon. Na so UEFA no gree dem run am again because dem miss dem March deadline wey UEFA set to clear dis ownership matter. E get as e be.
For CAS statement, dem confirm say Textor na board member wey dey cause gbege for both clubs when UEFA take dem assessment na that time. Dem judges say UEFA regulations dey clear, no space for clubs wey no comply.
Even though Textor don sell hin stake for Palace to Woody Johnson wey be New York Jets owner, the damage don already don process. Johnson now dey join Palace chairman Steve Parish as dem directors. Na wah! While Forest and Lyon dey move free, Palace dey face gbagam!
Palace originally qualify for Europa League because dem win the FA cup against Manchester City last May. This na dem first major trophy for 120 years. But now, dem bye bye to better cash and entry to the good club wahala wey dey come with dem demotion.
Some Palace fans don show say dem no dey happy as dem display sign wey talk say “UEFA Mafia” before dem season opener against Liverpool. As dem wan begin the new season, dem dey carry question for body. The funny part be say Palace don join the club wey lose cases for CAS this month regarding multi-club ownership rules. E no go better!
As if that no enough wahala, PSOE dey look like dem go carry favourable target players like Marc Guehi and Eberechi Eze go wealthier rivals. Na who no wan chop as Palace dey face dem gbege dey risk e transfer window activity. Dis football business no be beans o! Owning multiple clubs don turn into wahala as investors dey eyes European market.
As for Fredrikstad and Midtjylland, dem no get chance to rest as dem dey try find dem feet after dem tough season. Fredrikstad don get their last continental campaign for 2009, so dem dey pray for miracle to survive this time.
All these drama wey dey happen, e show say UEFA dey take serious this multi-club ownership matter wey fit pose threat to games and transfer market. If Palace fit struggle come out, dem go dey find how to win Conference League wey Chelsea don collect last season. E go good if dem fit win am, but dem still dey look for bodies wey go fit play the game.
