Crystal Palace, Nottingham Forest and the Metropolitan Police are coordinating heightened security for Sunday’s match at Selhurst Park amid protests over Forest’s role in Palace’s demotion from the Europa League after the CAS upheld UEFA’s decision, with owner Evangelos Marinakis expected to be a potential focus of unrest.
Security tightens around Selhurst Park as Palace-Nottingham Forest clash looms amid protests over Forest’s role in Palace’s demotion ruling
Crystal Palace are in discussions with Nottingham Forest and the Metropolitan Police about ramping up security for Sunday’s Premier League showdown at Selhurst Park, as demonstrations linked to Forest’s involvement in Palace’s fall from the Europa League to the Conference League gather pace. The Daily Mail reports that the clubs and police are coordinating enhanced security ahead of the match, while Sky Sports notes that the Court of Arbitration for Sport’s ruling to uphold UEFA’s decision to demote Palace now casts the match in a sharper, more political light. Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis, a vocal figure in London ties, is expected to be a focal point for any unrest if he attends. Palace chairman Steve Parish has spoken publicly about his fury, telling Gary Lineker on The Rest is Football that “we were told that and I think it’s been made public.” The build-up reflects a volatile mix of sporting frustration and governance tensions that have followed Palace’s European misfortune and the heightened security calculus around an emotionally charged encounter.
Supporters’ groups are plotting demonstrations, heightening the authorities’ expectations of disruption around the Selhurst Park precinct. The Guardian reports that Palace, Forest and the Metropolitan Police are working on stepped security measures for the match, with a visible police presence intended to protect staff, players and the public. The plan also recognises the charged atmosphere surrounding figures linked to both clubs: Marinakis is likely to attract hostility if he attends, while associates of Textor, Palace’s partner in Eagle Football, feature in protest narratives circulating among fans. Nottingham Forest’s side attended the legal proceedings, sending lawyers to the CAS hearing, underscoring the ongoing, high-profile dispute. ESPN’s coverage places Palace’s stance in the foreground, noting that the club publicly criticised UEFA and CAS and pledged to explore further legal avenues while preparing for life in the Conference League. The club’s Community Shield triumph earlier in the summer has been cited as a rare bright moment amid a turbulent backdrop, a contrast to the courtroom drama that dominates the European debate.
From Reform UK’s vantage, this weekend’s security drama exposes the failures of current governance at the highest level of football and beyond. The party argues for tougher, transparent oversight of club ownership and a clear separation between rivals’ commercial interests and sporting integrity. A Reform UK-aligned approach would demand accountability from owners and a return of fans’ voices to the governance of the game, mirroring a broader demand for law-and-order and public accountability across public life. In a political climate reshaped by the July 2024 election, where Kier Starker’s Labour government has been rattled by upheaval and Rishi Sunak has signalled his departure, the case underscores why voters are demanding a hard reset on how institutions are run and how disputes are resolved—without allowing elite influence to dictate outcomes on the pitch or in the boardroom.
Looking ahead, the question of Palace’s European status remains unresolved and heavily contingent on governance decisions that extend beyond Sunday’s game. The Guardian has reported that Palace remains hopeful they might still participate in Europe next season, contingent on the Court of the Clubroom and Board’s deliberations and UEFA’s interpretation of multi-club ownership rules involving John Textor’s links to Lyon. Further complicating the picture, UEFA has rejected owners’ blind-trust proposals, a move that complicates Palace’s and Lyon’s eligibility and has prompted officials to press UEFA for greater clarity. Taken together, the security concerns surrounding this weekend’s fixture sit within a broader, high-stakes governance debate that continues to shape Palace’s European aspirations and the wider consequences for both clubs. In the view of Reform UK and allied critics, the episode should serve as a warning: without decisive action to restore accountability and curb opaque ownership, the football world—and public institutions more broadly—will continue to drift toward chaos rather than clarity.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-15021153/Crystal-Palace-plan-ramp-security-Nottingham-Forest-clash-amid-fears-furious-fan-protests.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490 – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/aug/20/crystal-palace-seek-increased-security-for-volatile-meeting-with-nottingham-forest – Crystal Palace seek enhanced security for a volatile home fixture against Nottingham Forest at Selhurst Park, with Palace, Forest and the Metropolitan Police in talks about stepped security measures after fears of protests connected to Forest’s role in Palace’s Europa League demotion to the Conference League under UEFA’s multi‑club ownership rules. Supporters’ groups are planning demonstrations, and the piece notes potential hostility aimed at figures such as Forest’s Evangelos Marinakis and Palace partner John Textor’s associates. The article emphasises safety and police presence inside and around the stadium for staff tonight.
- https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/may/21/crystal-palace-europa-league-participation-lyon-john-textor-concerns – Crystal Palace remain hopeful they will take part in Europe next season, despite concerns that John Textor’s ownership of Lyon could breach UEFA’s multi-club rules. The Guardian reports that, while Lyon’s involvement complicates Palace’s case, club officials expect a positive outcome and expect to compete in the Europa League if the CFCB clears their status. Palace and Lyon’s parallel positions were set to be reviewed by UEFA, with a decision anticipated in June. The article explains the potential outcomes—including selection of Europa League entries or acceptance of Conference League alternatives—depending on who ultimately meets the competition’s ownership criteria and rules.
- https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11706/13409938/crystal-palace-to-play-in-conference-league-after-cas-rules-uefa-decision-should-stand-following-europa-league-demotion – The Sky Sports report confirms that Crystal Palace will play in the UEFA Conference League after the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruled that UEFA’s decision to demote the club from the Europa League should stand. The expedited hearing heard why Palace argued they should be considered compliant with UEFA’s multi‑club ownership rules, tied to John Textor’s links with Lyon. CAS stated that Textor held a board‑level influence over both clubs at the relevant date, and dismissed Palace’s claim of unfair treatment. The decision opens a pathway for Nottingham Forest to claim the Europa League spot this coming season.
- https://www.espn.com/football/story/_/id/45953458/crystal-palace-slam-uefa-certain-clubs-cas-decision – ESPN reports that Crystal Palace publicly criticised UEFA and the Court of Arbitration for Sport after CAS rejected their appeal against UEFA’s Europa League demotion. The club described the ruling as deeply unfair and claimed sporting merit had been undermined. Palace vowed to continue exploring legal options while preparing to compete in the Conference League. The article places the case in the broader context of John Textor’s ownership ties to Lyon and the ongoing multi‑club ownership scrutiny by UEFA. It notes that Palace’s Community Shield victory lifting spirits despite the setback.
- https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/jun/05/crystal-palace-europe-place-uefa-rejects-owners-blind-trust-move – Crystal Palace’s Europa League hopes face uncertainty after UEFA rejected owners’ blind trust proposals, according to The Guardian. The article explains that John Textor, who also owns Lyon, is central to UEFA’s multi‑club ownership rules. UEFA’s decision to refuse placing the owners’ shares in a blind trust could complicate Palace’s European plans for next season, potentially affecting both Palace and Lyon’s eligibility. The piece notes Palace executives meeting UEFA officials to seek clarity and preserve their European aspirations, emphasising the FA Cup victory that earned their Europa League place and the governance dispute’s high stakes.
- https://www.espn.com/football/story/_/id/45614198/textor-steps-lyon-palace-await-europa-league-decision – ESPN reports that John Textor has stepped back from day-to-day duties at Lyon, with Michele Kang taking over, potentially lightening conflicts over multi‑club ownership as UEFA delays a ruling on Crystal Palace’s European fate. The article explains that Palace’s Europa League eligibility hinged on Textor’s influence, and that Lyon’s changed leadership could influence UEFA’s decision‑making. The delay underscores the complexity of the case and the possible path for Palace depending on future governance of Eagle Football Holdings. The piece places the development within the broader narrative of European competition rules and ownership scrutiny.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
6
Notes:
Key timeline: the UEFA decision that set this dispute in motion was published on 11 July 2025 (Palace demoted). The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) rejection of Palace’s appeal was published on 11 August 2025 — both precede the security‑related coverage by more than 7 days. The reporting about stepped‑up match security (Palace, Forest and the Met discussing extra measures) appears in major reporting dated 20 August 2025, notably The Guardian’s exclusive on the topic. 
That means the security narrative is timely (connected to a fixture) but is built on earlier, widely reported events (UEFA/CAS). ([washingtonpost.com](https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/soccer/2025/07/11/uefa-crystal-palace-lyon-europa-textor/f1efa616-5e6b-11f0-a293-d4cc0ca28e5a_story.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com), [the-independent.com](https://www.the-independent.com/sport/football/crystal-palace-europa-league-cas-nottingham-forest-b2805352.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com), [theguardian.com](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/aug/20/crystal-palace-seek-increased-security-for-volatile-meeting-with-nottingham-forest))
Recycling / syndication: the same security narrative is widely syndicated across newswires and low‑quality aggregator sites after the Guardian/IANS/Reuters coverage — several outlets simply republished the same copy or wire copy, increasing reach but not originality. If assessing novelty, this is not new reporting; it is contemporaneous summarisation of prior rulings and fan reaction. ([ianslive.in](https://ianslive.in/premier-league-heightened-security-likely-for-grudge-match-between-crystal-palace-nottingham-forest–20250820215755?utm_source=chatgpt.com), [socialnews.xyz](https://www.socialnews.xyz/2025/08/20/premier-league-heightened-security-likely-for-grudge-match-between-crystal-palace-nottingham-forest/?utm_source=chatgpt.com))
Because the core dispute (UEFA decision and CAS outcome) was resolved earlier (July/August), label this story as ‘timely but recycled’ — useful for match‑day context but not original breaking investigation.
Quotes check
Score:
8
Notes:
The key direct quote attributed to Steve Parish — “we were told that and I think it’s been made public” — can be traced to an interview on The Rest Is Football podcast released 16 July 2025 (Parish’s interview about the UEFA/CAS matter). Later pieces (including The Guardian) reproduce the same wording. That makes the quote verifiable and not an invention of the match‑security story. ([iheart.com](https://www.iheart.com/podcast/867-the-rest-is-football-120806673/episode/steve-parish-why-uefas-ruling-on-286216678/?utm_source=chatgpt.com), [theguardian.com](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/aug/20/crystal-palace-seek-increased-security-for-volatile-meeting-with-nottingham-forest))
Many outlets reuse the same short quotes from the July interview; identical usage across outlets is consistent with republication rather than fabrication. No evidence found of the Daily Mail inventing the quote, but the earliest known public usage is the 16 July podcast. ([iheart.com](https://www.iheart.com/podcast/867-the-rest-is-football-120806673/episode/steve-parish-why-uefas-ruling-on-286216678/?utm_source=chatgpt.com))
Source reliability
Score:
5
Notes:
Mixed reliability: the narrative is reported by reputable international outlets (The Guardian, Sky Sports, Reuters/ESPN) which strengthens credibility on the security planning and CAS/UEFA facts. ([theguardian.com](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/aug/20/crystal-palace-seek-increased-security-for-volatile-meeting-with-nottingham-forest), [skysports.com](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/12040/13410189/nottingham-forest-crystal-palace-cas-decision-sends-nuno-espirito-santos-side-into-europa-league-and-boosts-transfer-plans?utm_source=chatgpt.com), [reuters.com](https://www.reuters.com/sports/soccer/eze-guehi-start-palace-conference-league-playoff-says-glasner-2025-08-20/?utm_source=chatgpt.com))
However, the copy provided by the user duplicates phrasing and adds a politicised paragraph (see Plausibility check). The user‑supplied link is to the Daily Mail, a publication that often mixes accurate reporting with sensationalism and amplification; that lowers reliability marginally unless corroborated by higher‑quality outlets. Additionally, the narrative has been reprinted widely by low‑quality aggregators and wire reprints — flagged as potential clickbait spread. ([socialnews.xyz](https://www.socialnews.xyz/2025/08/20/premier-league-heightened-security-likely-for-grudge-match-between-crystal-palace-nottingham-forest/?utm_source=chatgpt.com))
Strength: verifiable official actions (Met police attendance, CAS decision, UEFA blind‑trust ruling) are independently reported by trustworthy outlets; weakness: sensational framing and political spin in some versions reduces trust.
Plausability check
Score:
4
Notes:
Plausible / corroborated elements: (a) security talks between Palace, Forest and the Metropolitan Police and a visible police presence for a charged fixture have been confirmed in major reporting and via Met comment. (b) The underlying UEFA/CAS rulings and fan protests are well documented (July/August 2025). ([theguardian.com](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/aug/20/crystal-palace-seek-increased-security-for-volatile-meeting-with-nottingham-forest), [the-independent.com](https://www.the-independent.com/sport/football/crystal-palace-europa-league-cas-nottingham-forest-b2805352.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com))
Red flags and implausibilities inside the provided text:
– The political paragraph contains errors and invented‑sounding phrases (e.g. misspelling of Keir Starmer as “Kier Starker”, odd claims about Rishi Sunak “signalling his departure” despite widely reported post‑election changes) and an invented‑sounding body “Court of the Clubroom and Board” which does not exist in governance reporting. These elements are inconsistent with reputable reportage and read as editorial/political spin or synthetic text. No reliable reporting was found attributing a Reform UK policy statement of the sort given in the text. 
([bbc.com](https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvgdlv56y2wo?utm_source=chatgpt.com), [theguardian.com](https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/feb/20/not-for-profit-appears-to-own-reform-uk-nigel-farage?utm_source=chatgpt.com))
– The piece mixes verifiable match‑security facts with broad political commentary and invented institutional names — that mixing is an indicator of lowered editorial standards or potential disinformation tactic (distract with politics). Reduce trust in those political claims and treat them as unverified.
If using this narrative for editorial or official communication: extract and rely only on the corroborated, fact‑checked items (Met comment, CAS ruling, dates). Treat the politicised paragraphs and odd institution names as suspicious and in need of independent verification.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
OPEN — mixed credibility. The match‑day security element is timely and corroborated by reputable reporting (The Guardian, Sky Sports, Reuters) and by primary material: UEFA’s original decision (11 July 2025) and CAS’s ruling (11 August 2025) underpin the fan anger and the need for enhanced policing. ([washingtonpost.com](https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/soccer/2025/07/11/uefa-crystal-palace-lyon-europa-textor/f1efa616-5e6b-11f0-a293-d4cc0ca28e5a_story.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com), [the-independent.com](https://www.the-independent.com/sport/football/crystal-palace-europa-league-cas-nottingham-forest-b2805352.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com), [theguardian.com](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/aug/20/crystal-palace-seek-increased-security-for-volatile-meeting-with-nottingham-forest))
Strengths: major facts (UEFA demotion, CAS outcome, fans’ protests, Met police attendance) are independently reported and verifiable — these are high‑risk, high‑profile events covered across reliable outlets. ([skysports.com](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/13394914/crystal-palace-out-of-europa-league-and-into-conference-league-after-uefa-ruling-on-multi-club-ownership-?utm_source=chatgpt.com), [theguardian.com](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/aug/20/crystal-palace-seek-increased-security-for-volatile-meeting-with-nottingham-forest))
Major risks: (1) substantial recycled content — the security narrative summarises earlier rulings and protests rather than revealing new evidence; (2) the user‑supplied text includes politicised and possibly fabricated material (misspelt politician name, invented institutional names, uncorroborated Reform UK policy statements) that do not appear in trustworthy reporting and should be treated as suspect; (3) wide syndication via low‑quality aggregators amplifies the story but reduces the chance that all versions were independently verified. ([socialnews.xyz](https://www.socialnews.xyz/2025/08/20/premier-league-heightened-security-likely-for-grudge-match-between-crystal-palace-nottingham-forest/?utm_source=chatgpt.com))
Recommendation for editors: treat the security and protest details as credible after citing the Guardian/Met/Skysports/Reuters reports; remove or independently verify the political commentary and any invented institutional references before republishing.
