Crystal Palace fans protest Europa League ban with suitcase of fake money at UEFA headquarters

The protest, which took place on July 22 at UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland, was organized by the Holmesdale Fanatics, an ultra group of Palace.

According to Holmesdale Fanatics, the suitcase of fake money represents "the contradictions between their supposed ‘fundamental values’ of integrity and fairness, and the reality of their business methods and general conduct."

A Crystal Palace fans open a suitcase containing fake money at the reception desk of UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland on July 22, 2025. Photo by Holmesdale Fanatics

"We traveled to Switzerland to represent all Palace supporters in this fight against a morally unjust decision from UEFA and to demonstrate the public mood demands this ruling is overturned and justice is served," Holmesdale Fanatics member Mick Grafton told The Independent.

Following the protest in Nyon, the group traveled to Lausanne to continue their campaign outside the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), where Crystal Palace has filed an appeal.

Crystal Palace qualified for the 2025–26 Europa League after winning the FA Cup but were demoted to the Conference League. UEFA cited a conflict of interest, pointing to American billionaire John Textor's Eagle Football Holdings, which holds major stakes in both Crystal Palace and French club Lyon (also qualified for Europa League). Under UEFA rules, clubs under shared ownership cannot compete in the same tournament.

In an effort to resolve the issue, Textor agreed to sell his stake in Eagle Football Holdings to fellow American billionaire Woody Johnson for US$216 million. However, because the transaction was not finalized before UEFA's March 1 deadline, the sale was deemed ineligible. Meanwhile, Lyon successfully appealed against relegation from Ligue 1 for financial breaches, thus retaining their eligibility for the Europa League.

Adding further controversy, Times reported that Palace's complaint to CAS includes allegations of inconsistency in UEFA's enforcement. Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis, who also owns Greek club Olympiacos, only stepped down from his executive role at Forest in late April, also past the March 1 deadline, yet Forest was allowed to move up to the Europa League in Palace's place.

CAS is expected to issue a final ruling on the case by Aug. 11. If the appeal is successful, either Lyon or Nottingham Forest could be removed from the competition in favor of Palace.