Partner Richard Coopey has provided comment in City AM on UEFA’s recent rulings multi-club ownership in European football competitions, which have had major business and sporting ramifications for the clubs involved, in particular Crystal Palace.

Commenting on UEFA’s ruling yesterday, Richard noted: “From a sporting point of view, there will be concerns that UEFA have shown themselves willing to pick a fight with the minnows, whilst leaving the sharks to swim free, with minor penalties relating to substantial FFP/PSR infringements abound for the giants of European football, whilst comparatively tiny Drogheda’s European dreams are crushed by what will seem to many to be a technicality.

Richard went on to discuss the implications of the ruling for Crystal Palace, whose co-owner, US businessman John Textor, also has a stake in French club Lyon, highlighting: “Palace find themselves in a complicated situation due to Lyon’s financial difficulties and ongoing discussions with the French football authorities, as well as the possibilities of a sale of Textor’s shares which may just come soon enough to allow them to be granted a reprieve. Palace are not out of the woods yet, and it may still be that they are forced to seek relief from CAS if all else fails.

“For the Eagles to find themselves barred from Europe following the first major trophy success would seem cruel, and they may be a high profile enough victim of the multi-club ownership rules that we could see other major clubs consider alternative ways to build relationships, at least with other European clubs, to avoid the same risks.”

Richard’s comments were published online and in print in City AM, 1 July 2025.