GOOD NEWS —Nottingham Forest could now get SHOCK Europa League spot as rivals face ban after what their owner has just done to inadvertently give Reds their spot

Nottingham Forest are on alert as they could reportedly still secure a spot in next season’s UEFA Europa League, with Premier League counterparts Crystal Palace facing a possible European suspension.

Forest concluded the 2024/25 season as one of nine English top-tier clubs set to participate in European competition for the forthcoming campaign.

Having showcased impressive performances earlier in the season, Nuno Espirito Santo’s men might have aimed for a Champions League berth, but collecting just eight points from their final 24 on offer saw them fall short.

The competition was so close in the end that the two-point gap to fifth-placed Newcastle United only ensured Europa Conference League qualification, with Aston Villa taking the sixth-placed Europa League berth.

However, after missing out, reports now suggest that Forest could be promoted into UEFA’s secondary club tournament due to complex developments at Selhurst Park.

According to The Daily Mail, Palace are expected to attend an ’emergency summit’ with European football’s governing body as they attempt to resolve issues surrounding their ownership structure.

American investor John Textor owns approximately 43 percent of Palace’s shares and is also the majority stakeholder at French outfit Lyon, who also qualified for the Europa League. New UEFA rules prevent two clubs under the same ownership from entering the same competition.

Palace’s fellow co-owner David Blitzer also has a stake in Danish side Brondby, who are competing in the Conference League.

Teams who finish higher in their domestic leagues have priority in such multi-club ownership cases. Lyon came sixth in France, Brondby finished third in Denmark, and Palace were 12th in England—qualifying via their FA Cup win—leaving the London club in a tricky situation.

Palace are reportedly arguing that there is no operational connection between themselves and Lyon, with no shared infrastructure, personnel or influence from Textor at Selhurst Park. But if this defense does not hold up, Forest could be the ones to profit.

It’s reported that even if Palace do not officially lose their appeal, they may simply run out of time, resulting in their exclusion from European competition.

Should this unfold, Forest could be promoted, and in a twist of fate, Palace’s local adversaries Brighton could take the remaining Conference League place after finishing eighth in the Premier League.