Crystal Palace beat Shakhtar Donetsk 2-1 to seal a 5-2 aggregate victory and reach the Conference League final against Rayo Vallecano in Leipzig on May 27, caping a remarkable season that has already seen FA Cup and Community Shield glory.
Bournemouth’s win put them in sixth and ahead of Brentford, but the final day could create a bizarre scenario where sixth only gets a CL spot if Aston Villa finish fifth and win the Europa League, due to UEFA’s European Performance Spot rules. With Villa fifth, the fight remains tight among Bournemouth, Brentford and Brighton for sixth, while Chelsea and Fulham lurk nearby; a loss on Sunday could, in theory, help the 6th-placed club reach the Champions League by triggering EPS transfers. Seventh would secure a Conference League place, and eighth could also land in the Conference League if England’s extra CL slot alters the pecking order. The results hinge on Brighton hosting Manchester United and Brentford visiting Liverpool on the final day, against a backdrop of potential shifts if Villa’s European run changes the distribution of spots across Europe for English clubs.
Crystal Palace's appeal against their demotion from the Europa League to the Conference League was rejected by the Court of Arbitration for Sport, meaning they will compete in the Conference League next season due to UEFA's multi-club ownership rules, despite Palace's arguments of unfair treatment and inconsistent rule application.
Crystal Palace lost their appeal to remain in the Europa League after being demoted to the Conference League due to Uefa rules on multi-club ownership, with the Court of Arbitration for Sport confirming the decision. Nottingham Forest's spot in the Europa League is secured, and Palace will now face a play-off in the Conference League.
Chelsea won the Conference League, becoming the first club to win all three major European trophies, and now faces a unique decision due to UEFA rules: whether to compete in the Champions League or the Europa League next season, with the expectation that they will choose the Champions League since they qualify directly for the group stage.
Chelsea won the UEFA Conference League, their first major trophy since 2021, in a season marked by strategic player rotation, youth development, and overcoming near-elimination, culminating in a 4-1 final victory over Real Betis that celebrated their first win in all five UEFA club tournaments.
Chelsea won the UEFA Conference League final 4-1 against Real Betis, becoming the first team to win all five major European club trophies, with a standout second-half performance led by Cole Palmer, marking a significant milestone for the young Chelsea squad and their manager Maresca.
Chelsea made history by winning the Conference League final against Real Betis, completing their collection of all three UEFA trophies and becoming the first European club to do so. The victory adds to their previous wins in the Champions League, Europa League, UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup, and UEFA Super Cup. This achievement mirrors the success of Jose Mourinho, the only individual to win all three competitions with different clubs. Chelsea's recent European success continues their strong performance in international tournaments, and they are now preparing for the FIFA Club World Cup 2025.
Fans of Chelsea and Real Betis clashed violently in Wroclaw before the Conference League final, leading Polish authorities to detain several individuals and promise strict action against violence.
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has expressed concerns over the team's 16-hour round trip to Kazakhstan for a Conference League match against Astana, followed by a Premier League game against Brentford on Sunday. The journey involves an eight-hour flight each way, with the team returning to London on Friday morning. Due to the travel and cold conditions in Kazakhstan, several first-team players will be rested, and youth players will be included in the squad. Chelsea, currently second in the Premier League, will play Brentford at 19:00 GMT on Sunday, with the late kick-off time granted due to their travel schedule.
Chelsea achieved a record-breaking 8-0 victory over FC Noah in the Conference League, highlighting their dominance in the tournament despite fielding a second-string team. Under manager Enzo Maresca, Chelsea have scored 16 goals in three games, making them favorites to win the competition. The match showcased the depth of Chelsea's squad, with fringe players like Christopher Nkunku and Joao Felix excelling. Chelsea's presence in the tournament has sparked debate, given their high UEFA ranking and strong performances.