Crystal Palace Independent Supporters Association
CAS Decision
CPISA are disgusted with the outcome of the CAS appeal re demotion from the Europa League. Palace are a club that under Steve Parish’s leadership have striven operate in a sustainable manner and within the rules that exist.
We are absolutely definitively not an MCO club, nobody can deny this and yet ridiculously we have been replaced in the Europa league by a MCO club that has had far more player transfers and dealings with Eagle Holdings than Palace ever has.
The use of a blind trust was just not feasible when the sale of shares was in progress. In any case, it appears that blind trusts are impossible to fully police and we have witnessed how ineffective that vehicle is in reality. Furthermore, in a blind trust the shareholder still retains their share ownership and similarly whilst Eagle Holdings retained shares in Palace this was mitigated by a formally adopted shareholders agreement, limiting the level of input into decision making by Eagle Holdings and therefore to all intents and purposes an effective alternative to a blind trust.
Additionally Lyon have been allowed to benefit from the Eagle Holdings’ sale of Palace shares, whereas Palace have not been afforded that same opportunity. If our board had vetoed or delayed the share transfer the likelihood is that Lyon would have been relegated and unable to take up their place in the Europa League.
It is clear the UEFA rules are not fit for purpose and that for some clubs there are workarounds but not for others, which also makes them inequitable.
We are proud of our club and that they fought hard against this injustice. Our players, manager, fans and all Palace staff do not deserve this outcome. Whilst we will continue to support our team in the Europa Conference, we are by no means happy with the decision and we are certain that Palace fans will continue to make their feelings known and would fully support the club should they decide to continue this fight in the courts.
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CPISA is the Independent Supporter Association for Palace fans. We are are a volunteer-led organisation run by Palace fans for Palace fans. CPISA have regular meetings with senior staff at the club separate and in addition to having representation on the new Fan Advisory Board, FSA, and more.
Our objectives are:
- to champion and advocate on our supporters' behalf,
- to make sure our voices are heard and
- to ensure our collective interests are fully represented to the Club and wider football bodies.
We will always strive to provide advice and support to Palace fans who contact us on issues relating to their experiences with the club. We have been successful in resolving issues for many individual fans as well as securing changes for our fans as a whole.
It’s free and open to all Palace fans both in the UK and abroad, simply click here and subscribe to CPISA's mailing list. You will be kept up to date with what we're doing, be able to take part in surveys and consultations, have priority to attend our AGM and fan meetings and receive details of meetings with CPFC and other football bodies.
Alternatively, if you do not have access to an email please write to: CPISA, Dell House, Rockshaw Road, Merstham, RHI 3DD and we will mail info to you.