Crystal Palace Bigwigs are hurrying to Uefa’s Lakeside Lair to advocate their business, Mike Keegan writes – and the bet cannot be higher in the struggle to play in Europe

It was almost symbolic that the most important trophies that are usually the pride of the UEFA’s House of European Football missing.

The Glass Presentation Cases, proudly settled at the reception for the huge windows that offer a stunning view of Lake Geneva at the head office, were empty, with the recently acquired silverware that is currently on tour on tours.

Meanwhile, in one with wood in a meeting room of a panels, directly below in this luxurious, multi -tank, lake, Crystal Palace Powerbrokers tried to stop their continental dream to disappear.

Prior to this Swiss top, unveiled on Monday by Mail Sport, Palace Insiders were convinced that the ownership of their majority of shareholder of Lyon would not stop them to participate in this season Europa League For a historic first time under competition rules after their amazing Fa -Cup triumph.

The results of what happened about high-stakes for two hours with UEFA officials and lawyers in the shadow of Mont Blanc.

What can be said is that two of the most important players cut very different figures. What can now also be said is that one of them is now actively trying to find a way out with the clock that taps the draw for qualifying rounds on 17 June. John Textor, the American businessman whose interest in the French side seems to have stated that the great adventure of the Eagles is in danger thanks to the Multi-Club ownership rules of UEFA,

Crystal Palace won the FA Cup, which seemed to have a place in the Europa League for them

UEFA property rules can, however, mean that they cannot compete. American businessman John Textor is a majority shareholder at Lyon, while Brondby is owned by Palace co-owner David Blitzer

Palace plead their business at a meeting with UEFA on the ‘House of European Football’ on Tuesday

When asked by Mail Sport how the conversations had disappeared, he was initially guarded before he dropped a remark that emphasized the seriousness of the situation. “Do you want me to comment on this whole thing?” He replied, “I can’t say anything.”

However, when he was pressed, it turned out that he had something to say. “Look, the whole UK knows that I have no decisive influence on Palace,” he said. “It was a good meeting. They listened and we will see what is happening. “As a farewell shot, he added:” I would not try to sell if I did (having decisive influence). “

Reports who had claimed last month that Textor, frustrated, that his share of 43 percent in Palace will only be 25 percent of the voting rights, had actively tried to complete a takeover in Selhurst Park and that he was talking to fellow – American shareholders David Blitzer and Josh Harris – those shares.

But when he interviewed about this, he was unambiguously that the travel direction had changed dramatically. “Look, we try to help separate and sell it,” he added. ‘We wanted to buy, but it has become clear that it is not going to happen and so we try to help Palace and the situation with UEFA. That is about everything I can say. ‘

It is believed that Textor and Steve Parish fell when the American raised his interest. Maybe the Englishman had seen this coming. Anyway, he was not in the mood to talk when he appeared from an opposite direction.

He was wearing a blue suit and wearing a black suitcase on wheels, thanked reception personnel before refusing to answer questions or even recognize postport. When asked how the hearing had disappeared, or that he would like to comment, Parish did not offer any word in return and also made eye contact. Instead, he passed his bag to the driver of a waiting, Black Mercedes 4×4 and was immobile in the back seat. The driver smiled apologetic before he had swollen his passenger from the stage.

Without wanting to speculate, the fact that parish was here and does not seem to show the seriousness of the situation during the annual general meeting of the Premier League. The chairman of the palace is a fixed value at such events and is often one of the more active participants.

UEFA refused to comment on the procedure and what will happen in the coming weeks will be the key.

Textor tries to sell his majority interest in the South London Club, because the Eagles desperately try to prevent them from being started from European competition before a ball has even been kicked

While Textor stopped talking to Mail Sport, Palace chairman Steve Parish refused to do this

If the palace were kicked from Europe, it would be a cruel blow to the flowering side of Oliver Glasner

If Textor succeeds in finding a buyer at an acceptable price, the problem disappears, just like those trophies. That is by no means a fact. Palace is an incredibly attractive proposition. A stable Premier League club with a respected manager and European football. However, the fact that this is in fact a forced sale can do little to give him the price he feels he deserves.

Neither of them will also be the prospect that someone else arrives and is subject to the same part of the input, so that he has searched the output door. Getting a deal in such a short time, with the draw for the early stages of European competition that takes place on 17 June, can also be a difficult question.

This is a complex situation without precedent. UEFA’s rules state that clubs with the same ownership groups cannot play in the same competition. They say: “No club can hold or act or act in the effects or shares or act, be a member of another club that participates in a competition, are involved in a capacity of any capacity in the management, administration and or sports performance of another club, have a different power in the management, administration or sports performance of another club.”

They add: “No individual can have a majority of the voting rights of the shareholders and can exert a decisive influence on the decision -making of more than one club.” Clearly? In order to make things more difficult, the Danish outfit Brondby, who happens to be owned by the Palace investment vehicle distributor David Blitzer, can stand in line to take the place in the Europa Conference League, as a palace can be told that they cannot play in the Europa League and effectively ‘take’ the teasing. It’s messy.

One of the issues that Mail Sport understands is investigated whether the qualification of Palace for a competition with a higher -ranking location places above the Danes. If that happens, it would not go well in Brondby.

Palace will hope it won’t come up with that. They remain of the opinion that the fact textor has only 25 percent of the rights together with Parish, Harris and Blitzer, means that they meet the criteria – essentially in that textor is an owner without being the owner.

The season may be over, but for Textor and Palace the promotion remains fast.