John Textor has revealed that he is trying to sell his majority stake in Crystal Palace so they are not banned from playing in Europe next season. The south Londoners are due to make their Europa League debut after qualifying for the tournament as FA Cup winners. However, they are currently under threat of being booted out of the competition before a ball is kicked.

Textor co-owns several other prominent clubs alongside Palace, including French heavyweights Lyon. UEFA rules state that no individual or legal entity may have 'control or decisive influence' over more than one club competing in European competition. It means that Palace's maiden voyage in Europe is at serious risk of collapse before it even begins.

Speaking after a group of Palace officials held crunch talks with UEFA on Tuesday afternoon, Textor explained that his majority stake had been put up for sale in a desperate attempt to help the club avoid a disaster.

"All of the UK knows that I don’t have decisive influence over Palace," he told the Daily Mail. "It was a good meeting. They listened and we'll see what happens. I wouldn't be trying to sell [this stake] if I did.

"We are trying to help separate it and sell. We wanted to buy but it’s become clear that isn’t going to happen and so we’re trying to help Palace and the situation with UEFA. That’s about all I can say."

Lyon have also qualified for next season's Europa League and would take the slot because they had a higher league position than Palace. Meanwhile, if the Eagles are 'relegated' to the Conference League, they could be replaced in that tournament by Brondby.

Palace shareholder David Blitzer owns the Danish outfit, meaning the rules on multi-club ownership would also apply in that scenario. Brondby finished third in their league, giving them priority over Palace if only one club is allowed to compete.

If that happens, bitter rivals Brighton would enter the Conference League and Nottingham Forest would be elevated to the Europa League. Only time will tell how the situation transpires over the coming weeks and months.

The report states that a decision is expected to arrive in the near future, with UEFA lawyers set to examine the case. The saga is described as 'unprecedented' due to its complicated nature and the fact three clubs are involved.

Everybody connected with Palace will be hoping for a swift resolution, which will allow them to prepare for their European adventure. Since turning professional in 1905, they have never been involved in a major continental tournament.

They played in the now-defunct Intertoto Cup in 1998, but it was not considered to be a major tournament on par with the Europa League or Champions League.