UEFA has demoted Crystal Palace to the third-tier Conference League because of the English cup winner's ownership ties to French club Lyon through American businessman John Textor.

NYON, Switzerland — UEFA demoted Crystal Palace to the third-tier Conference League on Friday because of the English cup winner’s ownership ties to French club Lyon through American businessman John Textor. UEFA said its club finance panel accepted Lyon’s entry into the second-tier Europa League instead.

The Direction Nationale du Controle de Gestion (DNCG, the organisation responsible for overseeing the finances of French football clubs) relegated Lyon to the second tier on June 24, with the club confirming later that day that they would appeal the decision, describing it in a statement as “incomprehensible.”