Eberechi Eze speaks out on Crystal Palace’s potential European ban amid transfer links. Full details..
Crystal Palace face missing out on playing European football for the first time in their history despite winning the FA Cup due to UEFA’s rules on multi-club ownership
Eberechi Eze says that he’s ‘positive’ about Crystal Palace’s chances of avoiding a controversial ban on playing European football for the first time in their history. Eagles star Eze scored the winning goal as Palace stunned Manchester City 1-0 in the FA Cup final last month, earning them a place in next season’s Europa League group phase.
Or so they thought. It emerged this week that the London club’s participation in the competition was suddenly in doubt because of UEFA’s rules on multi-club ownership.
American businessman John Textor has shares in both Palace and French giants Lyon, who’ve also qualified for the Europa League after finishing sixth in Ligue 1. The outspoken Textor has a 43 per cent stake in the Eagles but only 25 per cent of voting rights.
Palace chiefs flew out to UEFA’s headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland for a meeting which is understood to have lasted two hours. Textor, who made a rare appearance representing the Eagles at Wembley, is offering to sell his Palace shares, as he did when he tried to buy Everton. UEFA chiefs are expected to confirm a decision within the next 10 days.
To make matters worse, rivals Brighton would potentially replace Palace in Europe, having finished eighth in the Premier League. Eze, 26, is currently on international duty with England in Spain but he’s keeping a close eye on the unfolding situation amid uncertainty over his own future.
The midfielder has been linked with a move away from Selhurst Park in the summer transfer window. Tottenham, who qualified for the Champions League, are known admirers and UEFA’s ruling could play a part in deciding his future.
On the prospect of being Palace banned, Eze said: “I really hope that that’s not the case and I hope that Palace do get the reward for that (FA Cup win), because of what it took to actually achieve it.
“It would be a huge shame if that was the case, but I’m trusting that it will work out in the end. I’m sure it will work itself out and it should work itself out, because there are players who have worked to be in this position.
Leave a Reply