Crystal Palace will attempt to overturn their Europa League demotion at a high-stakes hearing on Friday – and the man at the centre of the issue will not be present.

Eagles lawyers and officials will present their case having appealed UEFA’s decision to drop them into the Europa Conference League thanks to breaches of its rules on multi-club ownership.

Last month, Daily Mail Sport revealed how Palace were in grave danger of being kicked out of the competition.

And, following a hearing at UEFA HQ, the FA Cup winners’ fears became reality. UEFA adjudicators ruled that John Textor, the US businessman whose company held a 43 per cent stake in the club along with a majority stake in fellow qualifiers Lyon, did hold ‘control or decisive influence’ at Selhurst Park, despite the fact he only possessed 25 per cent of voting rights.

Because the French side finished in a higher position in their domestic league they took the slot, with Nottingham Forest subsequently leapfrogging Palace.

Palace will appear at the Court of Arbitration for Sport, in Lausanne, Switzerland, but Textor, who was a key witness at the UEFA hearing and who has subsequently sold his stake in the club, will not be there.

Palace want their demotion overturned and for either Lyon or Forest to be demoted. Forest are sending their own legal team.

Those who attend have the option to evade publicity by entering via a side exit. It is understood Palace, who believe they have done nothing wrong, will shun such a manoeuvre and enter via the main entrance.