Crystal Palace FC's first-ever major European adventure is underway, as we battle to win the UEFA Conference League. Find out how you can join us on our journey.

European Tour

## Born in the USA

> After a remarkable two-year journey from Alabama to Bayern Munich, Chris Richards fulfilled a lifelong dream when he moved to the Premier League with Crystal Palace in 2022.

Born in Alabama, USA, Richards began his career near Houston before joining F.C. Dallas’ Academy and earning a professional contract there.

He moved to Houston and then Dallas aged 16 – both over 600 miles from his hometown of Birmingham, Alabama, where his parents still live – and initially lived alone with a host family. He then made the even larger jump of joining Bayern Munich aged 18, where he learnt fluent German and made his senior debut shortly after signing.

From here Richards’ rise was swift: he made his senior debut in a friendly against Paris Saint-Germain in 2018, his professional debut with Bayern Munich II in 2019, and his full Bayern debut in June 2020. A few months later he featured as a substitute in the German side’s DFL-Supercup win over Borussia Dortmund.

The young defender went on to represent Bayern in the Bundesliga and Champions League before joining 1899 Hoffenheim on loan in 2021. He has played a total of 82 professional matches.

Richards began his international career early, too, competing with the US Under-20s to win the CONCACAF U20 Championship aged 18. His performances at this level earned him a senior debut in November 2020, coming on as a substitute against Panama. Richards has since amassed seven further caps.

He made his debut for the Eagles at Anfield as a second-half substitute in August 2022. Richards went on to make his first start for the club, after a leg injury, in January 2023 in the 1-1 draw against Manchester United at Selhurst Park.

Commenting on his first start he said: “It was worth the wait! Being able to make it \[my first Premier League start\] at home, especially in a game like tonight, was amazing."

His performances against Manchester United home and away, along with keeping a clean sheet against Newcastle United, saw him win the club's Player of the Month award in January 2023.

Richards' first domestic season in red and blue ended with 10 appearances in total, however he also managed to score his first international goal in the final of the CONCACAF Nations League against Canada to guide the United States to a 2-0 win.

The 2023/24 campaign saw Richards establish more of a place in the side, playing multiple roles as a centre-back, defensive midfielder and even as a right-back. He racked up 30 appearances in total, and scored his first goal against Burnley in a 3-0 win at Selhurst Park in February 2024.

Richards also found CONCACAF Nations League success once more, winning the title again in a 2-0 win over Mexico in March 2024. He was also recognised for his exceptional work with the Palace for Life Foundation - winning the PFA Community Champion award.

In 2024/25, Richards made 32 appearances across all competitions - six of which were in the FA Cup, where he played every single minute on the way to making history in the final against Manchester City.

2020

IFFHS Men's World Youth Team

January 2023

Crystal Palace Player of the Month

2023/24

PFA Community Champion

Richards

Twitter

Instagram

Appearances

Goals

Richards reflects on Mostar

Richards reflects on 100th Palace appearance

CPFC x SunExpress aircraft livery

Chris Richards Previews Fulham

The best of our Defenders | Brighton (H)

Chris speaks on victory against Brentford

Match Highlights: Crystal Palace 1-1 Millwall

The Full 90: Crystal Palace v Millwall | Palace TV+

Chris speaks on win against Millwall

Richards reflects on victory at Villa Park

Chris speaks on tough game against Nottingham Forest

Chris speaks on solid performance against Chelsea

Richards on the final game at Anfield 

Fa Cup Final | Chris Richards & Matt Turner | Post Match Interview

Richards praises team spirit

Goals Inside Box

Goals Outside Box

Right Foot

Left Foot

Shots

Shots on target

Hit woodwork

Penalties taken

Penalties scored

Touches

Touches in opposition box

Aerial duels

Aerial duels won

Interceptions

Blocks

Recoveries

Tackles won

Duels won

Clearances

Minutes

Attempted passes

Successful passes

Chances created

Crosses

Yellow cards

Red cards

Fouls won

Fouls Conceded

Season

Games

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The perfect defence-splitting pass ✂️<br><br>Adam Wharton’s assist for Ismaila Sarr in <a href="https://twitter.com/CPFC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CPFC</a>’s win over Spurs is March’s <a href="https://twitter.com/AdobeExpress?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AdobeExpress</a> Creative Moment of the Month 🦅 <a href="https://t.co/QLDDwCFeIR">pic.twitter.com/QLDDwCFeIR</a></p>&mdash; Premier League (@premierleague) <a href="https://twitter.com/premierleague/status/2039674206045233246?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 2, 2026</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

It was a sight to behold.

As the first-half ticked into the seventh minute of stoppage time, with Wharton having already set up Jørgen Strand Larsen moments earlier, the midfielder produced the kind of assist few players in world football can.

The England international collected Jaydee Canvot's low ball into feet, swivelled to set himself and – in a moment of instinctive genius – lofted an inch-perfect pass over the Spurs defence for Ismaïla Sarr to race onto and prod beyond the goalkeeper.

The assist was imaginative, audacious and delightful – and teed up a 3-1 lead which secured Palace back-to-back away wins at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for the first time.

Following a supporter vote, combined with a panel of experts' choices, Wharton has become the third winner of the Premier League's new Creative Moment of the Month accolade, after Bruno Guimaraes' trivela assist for Newcastle in January and Dominic Solanke's scorpion kick goal for Tottenham in February.

“It was literally just touch and pass," Wharton later said about the assist. "I didn't really… I don't know!

"When you're playing, yeah, you're thinking about what to do, but you just do it. You don't really have time to think too much. 

"I always say if there's a forward pass, then I'll try and make it, because this is what helps the team score goals, create chances and get in good positions.

“I don't really overthink it. If I take a touch and someone's running in behind, I'll try and play them in so we can score goals.”

Wharton saw off competition from creative moments by Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes; Nottingham Forest's Morgan Gibbs-White; Arsenal's Riccardo Calafiori; and Brentford's Keane Lewis-Potter to win March's prize.

His brace of assists at Spurs also saw him become the first Palace player to assist twice in the first-half of a Premier League game since Michael Olise against Sheffield United in January 2024 – and, away from home, since Olise at Bournemouth in December 2022.

Adam Wharton's sensational second assist in Palace's 3-1 win at Tottenham Hotspur has been named the Premier League's Adobe Express Creative Moment of the Month for March!

Wharton wins Premier League Creative Moment of the Month

Crystal Palace

UEFA Conference League

AEK Larnaca

Last Match

Fiorentina

Next Match

Get ready for Europe!

Palace’s first-ever European journey continues in April against the Serie A giants, who have reached two of the Conference League’s four previous finals.

The second leg of the tie, which will be played at the Artemio Franchi Stadium in Florence, is scheduled for **Thursday, 16th April** (21:00 CET local time / 20:00 BST).

Following negotiations with Fiorentina and the local authorities, we are pleased to confirm we have managed to secure an **additional 200 away tickets**. Our away allocation is therefore approximately **1,200 tickets.**

**With tickets now sold out, a Waiting List is now live with further information below.**

#### **Important information**

**Tickets will be issued to each individual ticket holder via PDF print at home ticket.** All emails will be sent from [ticketsandinfo@cpfc.co.uk](mailto:ticketsandinfo@cpfc.co.uk).

Each ticket will include – **as listed on each supporter’s passport** – the purchaser’s name, date of birth, passport country of issue, and gender. All of these details are required by Italian law in order to obtain a ticket.

**All supporters will be required to take their passport to the stadium**. **There will be strict stadium perimeter ticket checks,** where all supporters will be required to show the passport which matches the details on their ticket.

Supporters who do not have their own passports at this ticket checkpoint will be refused entry to the stadium perimeter. If the supporter’s passport does not match the details on their ticket, they will also be refused entry to the stadium perimeter.

More details with regards to where ticket checks will take place, and how Palace supporters are advised to travel to the match, will be made available prior to the fixture.

#### **Attendance**

**It is strongly recommended that you only purchase a ticket if you are certain you can attend the game.**

**Tickets are strictly non-transferrable.** Anyone found transferring tickets without the club’s consent will be banned from purchasing for future European fixtures.

**Any supporter not using their ticket for this fixture** may be blocked from purchasing future away tickets for European fixtures. All ticket entries will be checked after the fixture has been played.

**We understand that circumstances can change after you have purchased** **a ticket**; in this instance, please contact the Box Office as soon as possible.

#### **Waiting List**

A Waiting List is now available to all Season Ticket Holders and Members to join, irrespective of Loyalty Points.

If we receive any returns or an extra allocation at a later date, we will sell in Loyalty Points order.

Join the Waiting List

#### **Pricing**

Tickets will be priced at **£17.50 each** for all age categories.

#### **Disabled supporters**

Supporters who are registered disabled with the club will receive a free Personal Assistant ticket. 

Disabled supporters, and supporters who would like to sit during the game, will need to call the Box Office to purchase appropriate seats.

**Please note that Personal Assistant tickets are only valid when the disabled supporter also attends.** Any Personal Assistant attending without accompanying a disabled supporter will automatically be banned from purchasing future away tickets for the remainder of the season.

#### **Private chartered flight**

We were pleased to confirm last week that, to ensure supporters have a convenient way of attending the game in Florence, a number of packages are available for a private chartered flight trip.

[Full details of available packages can be found here](https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/club/watch-palace-in-florence-with-our-fan-plane-trip/). 

#### **Home leg tickets**

The home leg of the tie will be played at Selhurst Park the preceding Thursday (9th April, 20:00 BST), with **tickets now sold out**.

A small number of tickets may be released at 13:00 BST on Friday, 3rd April, once current requests have been processed. Additional tickets may also be released or returned by supporters ahead of the match. [Find out more here](https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/tickets/home-ticket-details-palace-fiorentina-conference-league-april/).

In addition, there are a range of Premium lounges you can book (no Membership required) for the match, all of which offer modern dining and inclusive drinks throughout your night, with prices starting from **£234 inc. VAT**. [Explore these packages now](https://www.eticketing.co.uk/cpfc/Hospitality/LandingPage/Index/990?utm_source=website&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=WebStoryTickets250326) or [speak to a member of our team today](https://www.cpfc.co.uk/hospitality/enquire/) to start your planning.

#### **Match Details**

**ACF Fiorentina v Crystal Palace**

- Thursday, 16th April
- 21:00 CET local time / 20:00 BST
- Artemio Franchi Stadium
- UEFA Conference League quarter-final, second leg

Tickets for the away leg of Crystal Palace's UEFA Conference League quarter-final tie with ACF Fiorentina are now sold out, with a waiting list now open.

Fiorentina away tickets now sold out; Waiting List open

*This interview was initially published in the Crystal Palace v Leeds United programme in March 2026 - you can **[buy issues of the matchday programme by clicking HERE](https://shop.cpfc.co.uk/giftssouvenirs/souvenirs/programmes/)**.*

Plenty has occurred since May 2025 – and yet, don’t memories of FA Cup Final day still come flooding back so easily?

Amidst so many highlights, perhaps one of the standout moments of the day – even if it ultimately amounted to naught – was Daniel Muñoz steaming in on 58 minutes and scoring what seemed to be, at the time, Palace’s second goal of the afternoon. 

Yes, it was disallowed by VAR within two minutes for an offside in the build-up. Yes, that verdict cut short the boisterous celebrations which followed, and meant 30 more minutes of anxiety, defending just a single-goal lead. 

But the scenes of relief – the scenes of disbelief, even – as shedloads of Eagles, in a shared split second of jubilation, dared to dream of a 2-0 lead over City, in a Cup Final…

By some considerable margin, Muñoz’s ‘goal’ is the precise moment of the match which – on the FA’s YouTube channel – has been ‘Most Replayed’ ever since. 

With noise levels from the West end hitting 115 decibels – their highest all day, even more than at the final whistle – it was, simply put, the moment that Wembley shook.

And, by goodness, for a few fleeting seconds at least, it was beautiful.

*You can view the moment at 01:10:35 in the video below.*

When you score in a final and you feel the euphoria of the fans, Wembley shaking…

Almost 10 months have passed, yet Muñoz immediately beams when we bring that moment up. “That feeling was incredible. 

“When you score in a final and you feel the euphoria of the fans, Wembley shaking… your heart is going at 2,000 beats per hour.

“Unfortunately, it was ruled out, but thank God we still achieved our objective, which was to win and lift the FA Cup. 

“For me, winning that trophy was the most important achievement in my career – for what it means to play in England, playing every week against the best players in the world, and because it was Crystal Palace’s first-ever trophy. 

“That’s a memory I give a lot of value to – and a day I think that all the fans and everyone at the club still loves too. 

“In reality, it’s not easy to win a trophy in England, nor is it easy to beat a great team like Manchester City. It was such an incredible achievement for all of us.”

The fans treat me as if I were at home, as if I have been here at Palace for many, many years

In the aftermath of the game, drenched in champagne, confetti and golden streamers, Muñoz – along with many of his teammates – took to the media mixed zone. 

There, the gleeful full-back was interviewed in Spanish by various broadcasters. With his national flag draped over his shoulders, Muñoz declared, for the first time that we know of, “¡Croydon es Colombia!” – breaking down during one interview with pride. 

It is a phrase he and compatriot Jefferson Lerma have since reiterated on many occasions. Muñoz explains: “For me, I think that just refers to the joy that characterises us as Colombians. 

“That’s the feeling I get round here – that Latin, Colombian energy. Maybe that’s why Jeff also said it at some point, because you can feel that kind of vibe. 

“I have been here just over two years now, and for me, it means a lot. Being at a club like this, at a team like Crystal Palace, with such great fans… 

“In my opinion, these supporters are the ones who most resemble what I was used to seeing in South America. I really like it here. 

“The fans treat me as if I were at home, as if I have been here at Palace for many, many years. That is something I will always carry in my heart.”

We ask, two years into London life, how he’s enjoying the city: “Honestly, I like everything about London. 

“I don’t really have one single favourite place to go here though… I could say my favourite places are the training ground and Selhurst Park!” 

Muñoz smiles as he speaks, his words – you can tell – coming straight from the heart.

It is little wonder he became a hero in his boyhood surroundings of Medellin, going on to captain his local club Atlético Nacional at the age of 23, and why he draws so much pride in being a leading figure for both Crystal Palace and Colombia. 

His passion for the latter comes to the fore when the topic of the 2026 FIFA World Cup comes up. *Los Cafeteros* are widely considered dark horses, having reached the 2024 Copa América Final – an extra-time defeat to Argentina ending their 28-game, 29-month unbeaten streak – and finished third in South American qualification.

Colombia’s best result at a World Cup was reaching the quarterfinals in 2014, but Muñoz lays down a challenge to his teammates: “We have a generation which was able to make that leap in quality. We reached the final of the Copa América – our first since 2001.

“We have a lot of talent, and we are more than a team – we are a family. It is difficult to create a team like that, but we have achieved it. 

“Now, we have to make that next step in quality, which is to reach the final of the World Cup – and win it – for this group to actually say we are a golden generation. 

“The idea of playing at the World Cup, I think that excites any player. But we want to go not just to be there – we want to go with a clear goal: to win the World Cup.”

For a player who arrived at Palace with the nickname *el hincha en la cancha* – ‘the fan on the field’, a moniker earned at Nacional – Muñoz knows well the importance of a connection between on-field and off-field life, between the pitch and the stands. 

It was a bond which won him Palace’s supporter vote for 2024/25 Men’s Player of the Season, to go with Players’ Player of the Season. In the simplest of metrics, no Premier League player covered more distance while sprinting (over 3,400 metres – or over two miles – according to Genius IQ data) than the Eagles’ flying full-back. 

Even just a few short weeks ago, analytics outlet Gradient Sports named Muñoz – off the basis of his statistics in speed, endurance and acceleration this season – the most athletic player in the whole of Premier League.

Last season, the 29-year-old was practically an ever-present in the historic campaign, missing just 122 minutes in all competitions. Yet in 2025/26, for the first time as a Palace player, he was forced to miss, over the Christmas period, a series of matches following knee surgery.

I want to give my best to my team and to my teammates

“For me it’s always difficult because I’m used to playing and competing every three or four days, every week,” he notes. “I had to go through the surgery, which kept me out of matches in December and January.

“It was a decision, at the time, I had to make – it was what was best for my body, for my health, to be able to compete for the rest of the season. 

“Having a break of almost seven or eight weeks was challenging for me. Watching my teammates play on television wasn’t easy! 

“But health comes first. Now, thank God, I’ve recovered. My knee is getting better and better, and I just need to adapt again to the level I was at before the injury. I’m regaining my confidence and that intensity of play. 

“I want to give my best to my team and to my teammates, and to be at the level I like to be at in order to compete.”

Yet injured or not, available or not, Muñoz remains as fixated on success for his club, teammates and the fans, as ever: “For the team, it has been an unusual season. 

“We had a very, very, very good start, where the team improved a lot in every aspect. From the beginning up until December, we were practically one of the best teams in the league. 

“Maybe the injuries had an impact. I think that influenced the ups and downs a bit, which is normal for every team. But now, we’re focused on the rest of the season and what we can still achieve. 

“We have to keep working and we have to keep fighting. I am faithful and I believe that, in the end, honest work always pays off, so it remains on us to get up every morning, work hard, and fight for the best results for the team. 

“The goals for us are clear: we want to finish as high as possible in the Premier League table, hopefully reaching the European places again – and we want to reach the Conference League final in Leipzig.”

We want to play it, we want to win it, and we want to bring that trophy back to all the Crystal Palace fans

At the start of the season, Muñoz was one of just 12 Palace players with previous experience of European club football, having played in the UEFA Champions, Europa and Conference League before with Genk.

But Muñoz now has a taste for glory with Palace – and is ready for more: “I think this season is special. When you play a tournament of this level – whether it’s the Champions League, Europa League, or Conference League – it’s always exciting. 

“But since it’s the first time in Palace’s history, it’s even more exciting. It’s exciting to play these matches, go to all these places and to progress through all the rounds. 

“We’ve already seen it with the other two trophies last year: to reach the final in Leipzig, I think, would be something beautiful for the club.”

He pauses for a moment, reconsidering his answer: “In fact, our goal is not just to reach the Final. 

“We want to play it, we want to win it, and we want to bring that trophy back to all the Crystal Palace fans.

“For all the support and encouragement that they give us, in every single match, they deserve it.”

A core character at the heart of a golden generation for both club and country, nothing would mean more to Daniel Muñoz than making the world’s stages shake once again in celebration – as the Colombian recently told the official Palace matchday programme ahead of the season run-in…

Announcement

Announcement

Wharton wins Premier League Creative Moment of the Month

Fiorentina away tickets now sold out; Waiting List open

Muñoz talks Croydon, Colombia, Conference League & kinship with Palace fans

Get ready for Europe!

26Chris
Richards

Announcement

Announcement

Wharton wins Premier League Creative Moment of the Month

Fiorentina away tickets now sold out; Waiting List open

Muñoz talks Croydon, Colombia, Conference League & kinship with Palace fans

Get ready for Europe!

26ChrisRichards

26Chris
Richards