Crystal Palace must wait until Monday to learn whether they can compete in next season's Europa League after UEFA postponed a crucial decision originally expected today.
The Eagles had anticipated clarity on Friday regarding their European qualification, but the ruling from UEFA's Club Financial Control Body (CFCB) has been delayed by three days.
The independent panel is investigating whether Palace's participation breaches multi-club ownership regulations, leaving the FA Cup winners in limbo over their European status.
The postponement extends the uncertainty surrounding Palace's first European campaign since the 1998/99 season, when they competed in the Cup Winners' Cup.
Crystal Palace still face being booted out of the Europa League with a decision postponed
PA/GettyThe issue centres on UEFA regulations that prohibit any individual from holding decisive control over two clubs in the same European competition.
American businessman John Textor owns a majority stake in French club Lyon whilst also holding 43 per cent of Crystal Palace through his Eagle Football Holdings.
This dual ownership has triggered the CFCB investigation, as both clubs qualified for the Europa League - Palace through their FA Cup triumph and Lyon via their league position.
Textor missed the deadline to place his shares in either club into a blind trust, which would have allowed both teams to compete in Europe next season.
Textor has reached an agreement to sell his Palace stake to fellow American Woody Johnson, though the deal requires approval from the Premier League and WSL.
Despite his 43 per cent shareholding, Textor has never exercised decisive control at Palace, with board decisions split equally between him, chairman Steve Parish, and co-owners Josh Harris and David Blitzer, each holding 25 per cent voting rights.
Parish remains the club's day-to-day decision-maker and operator.
This governance structure was presented to UEFA officials during a meeting at the organisation's Nyon headquarters earlier this month, where Textor and Parish argued Palace's case for Europa League participation.
Palace face potential demotion to the Conference League if the CFCB rules against their Europa League participation, though they could appeal any adverse decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
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Crystal Palace qualified for Europe after winning the FA Cup this yearGettyLyon's European involvement has been thrown into severe doubt after French authorities forcibly relegated them to the second division this week due to financial difficulties.
The French club have lodged an appeal against their relegation.
The CFCB's decision on Monday will determine whether Palace can embark on their first European campaign in over 25 years or face a downgrade to UEFA's third-tier competition.
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