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Crystal Palace are facing a bleak reality after losing their appeal against UEFA’s decision to demote them from the Europa League to the Conference League.

Palace found out on Monday that their appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport had been unsuccessful and they will stay in the Conference League this season. CAS sided with European football’s governing body in the row over multi-club ownership.

The FA Cup winners felt aggrieved to have fallen foul of the regulations due to John Textor’s role at Lyon. Textor has sold his stake in Palace, but the club missed the deadline and have been punished by UEFA, whose call sees Nottingham Forest benefit with a Europa League spot.

The decision is a hammer blow for the south London side, who only hours earlier had been celebrating another Wembley victory. Oliver Glasner’s side twice came from behind on Sunday to draw 2-2 with Liverpool in the Community Shield before winning the penalty shoot-out.

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Star players Marc Guehi and Eberechi Eze both started the match against Liverpool, but there are now serious doubts over their futures at the club. Club captain Guehi has been targeted by Liverpool, while Eze has been linked with a move to Arsenal.

Palace’s lack of Europa League football is bound to have an impact on their ability to hold onto their England internationals. The Daily Mail says it will cost £20million in lost revenue, while the demotion isn’t just a financial blow.

Both Guehi and Eze are capable of playing at a higher level and, now that the fruits of their labour have been diluted, it is possible they will push to leave Palace. Guehi’s contract expires in June 2026 and he has rejected the possibility of signing a new one, with Palace chairman Steve Parrish admitting he could be sold this summer.

“Yes, yes,” he said. “Of course, for players of that calibre to leave on a free, it is a problem for a football club. There is no doubt about it unfortunately.

“Joachim [Andersen] went [to Fulham last summer] and we couldn’t afford to lose both of them. We then had another bid in January but that was a difficult decision as well. We will just have to see what happens. It needs a new contract or a conclusion of some kind.”

Palace rejected bids from Newcastle for Guehi in the past but will be tempted to cash in on the centre-back now, rather than lose him for nothing in a year. Eze, meanwhile, is under contract until June 2027 and could fetch £60m from Arsenal.

Asked about Guehi ahead of the Community Shield, Glasner was clear: “At the end, it's always the player's decision. Marc decides about his future. Of course, everybody wants Marc to sign a new contract. It will be his decision.

“Everybody wants to keep this squad together as it did so well. I don't know how often this happens here at Palace. We never know what will happen in this sometimes crazy transfer market.”

Palace have so far spent just £3m in the summer transfer window to sign left-back Borna Sosa, while back-up goalkeeper Walter Benitez arrived on a free. Glasner is clearly frustrated by the situation. “It's not that I want investment – it's about Crystal Palace,” he said.

“My expertise and my advice is what Crystal Palace should do to be competitive in four competitions. If we want to be better than last year, then let's sign at least two players. Not to be happy, not to fulfil my wishes, nothing at all.”

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