Oliver Glasner admitted Crystal Palace 's possible demotion to the Conference League "feels like we are punished, but being innocent" ahead of Monday's legal verdict to seal their European fate.
As the Palace boss was speaking in London, chairman Steve Parish and the club's lawyers were in session at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Switzerland for their appeal hearing, presenting arguments they hope will restore the FA Cup winners' place in UEFA's second-tier competition.
Parish told reporters outside the court in Lausanne on Friday that he was confident the club's case was a strong one and hoped they would be given a fair hearing.
"If you get punished when you feel innocent it's tough," said Glasner.
"And it feels like this. If we play Conference League it feels like