Nottingham Forest and Crystal Palace are edging closer to a final decision on their UEFA fate, with Palace’s appeal over their multi-club ownership breach set to be heard by CAS.
Palace’s CAS appeal will be heard on or before the 11th of August, a bizarre date given that it falls after a crucial qualifying draw for the UEFA Conference League.
In what is becoming a rather bitter conflict between the two clubs, Palace accused UEFA of double standards for giving Evangelos Marinakis time to avoid potential multi-club issues with Forest and Olympiacos.
Simon Jordan has blamed Steve Parish for Palace’s breach, but away from the pointing fingers, Forest Legend Stuart Pearce has given his thoughts on the upcoming CAS appeal.
Stuart Pearce weighs in on Nottingham Forest UEFA saga
With the problem revolving around one man, Eagles fans must’ve been furious when John Textor said he thought UEFA wouldn’t punish Palace, a statement that now looks silly as the wait continues to hear the appeal.
For Pearce, though, he sees very little chance that UEFA will seriously consider Palace’s arguments, in what would be the perfect outcome for Forest.
Speaking to Sports Mole, he said: “It seems to me as though there’s been a set of laws put in place by UEFA […] and Palace have infringed that with the dual ownership situation and the timings of it. I don’t see what that’s got to do with Forest.
“They might’ve flagged it but it’s really nothing to do with Forest in many ways so I don’t really see where there is an anger from Crystal Palace. If there’s a set of rules in place at the start of a competition and you know the timings of it, if you infringe that, then UEFA are within their rights to enforce what they put in place.
“I’ll be a little bit disappointed if the Forest and Palace fans are at loggerheads on this because it should be solely a decision for UEFA. Forest can’t influence a UEFA decision.”
A measured take on the situation, Pearce is correct to say that UEFA are simply following the rules they put in place, making it hard to see how Palace could convince CAS to overturn the decision.
In terms of the CAS appeal itself, Forest’s role in proceedings has been revealed, and it’s perhaps more hands-on than you’d think.
Nottingham Forest will be represented at CAS appeal
From the Palace side, there have been plenty of comments that suggest that Forest somehow influenced UEFA’s decision in the first place, seen especially when Parish discussed Forest’s involvement in their UEFA breach with Gary Lineker.
Therefore, Forest are to play a role in the CAS appeal, meaning that legal representatives for the club will be present during the process.
In a report by the Daily Mail, a Forest spokesperson said: “Nottingham Forest has been formally named as a respondent in Crystal Palace’s appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) concerning a UEFA decision.
“As such, the club is required to participate in the proceedings and has instructed legal counsel accordingly.”
CAS’ verdict will be final, so once the ruling on Palace’s appeal is made, Nuno Espírito Santo’s side can truly begin to prepare for their long-awaited return to continental football.
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