Oliver Glasner Confident Crystal Palace Will Play Europa League This Season

As the Crystal Palace Europa League appeal nears its verdict, Oliver Glasner remains confident his side will compete in Europe’s second-tier competition.

Palace had originally secured Europa League qualification by winning last season’s FA Cup.

However, UEFA ruled the club ineligible due to a conflict of interest caused by John Textor’s stake in both Palace and Ligue 1 side Lyon, who also qualified for the competition.

As a consequence, Palace were demoted to the Europa Conference League.

Palace’s appeal will be heard by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on August 8, and a verdict is expected three days later.

Oliver Glasner Confident of Europa League Football

Despite the uncertainty, Glasner is confident the club’s position will be upheld.

“We are waiting for the final decision, but we still are confident that we will be successful and that we will play Europa League,” Glasner told Sky Sports. “August 11, we will know the decision and then we will start to prepare for Europe.”

The Austrian manager added that the situation has not distracted his squad during their pre-season preparations.

“We didn’t really talk about it. We were focusing on the things we could influence, and we have no influence over the decision from UEFA, we don’t have influence on the decision from CAS, now, so it makes no sense to be thinking about it.

“We are focused on what we have to do on the pitch, how to create this spirit again in the group, this togetherness, this commitment, and this is what we are doing day by day.”

Crystal Palace Gear Up for Community Shield Amid Europa League Uncertainty

Regardless of the CAS decision, Glasner sees European football and this weekend’s Community Shield clash with Liverpool as a reward for Palace’s success last season.

“We want to play Community Shield, we want to play European football, so this is the reward for last season. It is not the punishment, it is a reward.

“If we see it like this, and we do see it like this, then I don’t see any issues why we can’t play another very successful season again.”

Palace face Liverpool at Wembley on August 10, just one day before the expected CAS verdict.

Crystal Palace Transfer News: Glasner Wants More Signings

While he is upbeat about Palace’s European prospects, Glasner expressed concern over the lack of summer transfer activity.

So far, the club have signed just two players: Croatian full-back Borna Sosa and Argentine goalkeeper Walter Benítez, for a combined fee of under £3 million.

“Why wait for two months? [Our transfer business] could be done quicker, but again, I have no influence. It is just my opinion.

“It is a waste of energy to complain too much about it, so I focus on the players who are here to prepare them in the best possible way. Everything else is not in my influence.”

The club’s quiet transfer window is in stark contrast to Sunday’s Community Shield opponents, Liverpool, who have stepped up their interest in Bradley Barcola after Alexander Isak talks stalled.

Crystal Palace Europa League Appeal Verdict

Palace’s European fate now rests in the hands of CAS.

The club is hopeful that John Textor’s divestment from Eagle Football Holdings, which previously included stakes in both Palace and Lyon, will be enough to persuade CAS to overturn UEFA’s decision.

If the appeal is successful, Palace will return to the European competition for the first time since the 1998 UEFA Intertoto Cup.

If not, they will drop into the UEFA Europa Conference League.