Latest news with #CourtforArbitrationforSport
The 42
16-06-2025
- Sport
- The 42
Drogheda United expelled from Conference League after losing appeal
DROGHEDA UNITED HAVE been expelled from the Uefa Conference League after losing an appeal with the Court for Arbitration for Sport (CAS). The League of Ireland club submitted an appeal after Uefa notified them that they face expulsion from this season's Uefa Conference League regarding multi-club ownership for the FAI Cup champions. A statement from Drogheda United reads: 'To our supporters, players, staff, volunteers, and the entire Drogheda community, It is with great heartbreak and disbelief that we inform you we have lost our appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. We strongly disagree with this decision, and had hoped and believed that the principles of fairness and common sense would prevail. Advertisement 'After months of engagement, constructive dialogue, countless hours of legal preparation, and multiple proposals based on frameworks that have been accepted in the past, we have come up short. Despite genuine and vocal support across the football world, the ruling did not fall in our favour. We are heartbroken by the outcome. 'We know that this decision will cause hurt and frustration across our entire community. Not just because of the decision itself, but because we know how much this meant to everyone associated with Drogheda United. We know how hard this team fought to earn a place in European competition. We know how transformational that opportunity would have been, not just financially, but emotionally for our players, our staff, and our community. 'We disagree with this decision. We believe it is unjust. Rules should protect opportunity, not prevent it. Especially for community-driven clubs like ours who fight every day to punch above their weight. 'Nevertheless, we accept responsibility. And we're sorry. But while we are saddened, we are also emboldened. 'We will not let this setback define us. Instead, we will use it as fuel. Our club has never been handed anything and we've earned every inch through grit, resilience, and unity. And we will continue to do so. 'We will push for reform so that no other community club finds itself in this position again. All parties can do better. And we will do our part to make sure we all do. We will share more in the coming days. 'But for now, our focus turns back to what we can control: the ongoing LOI campaign and our FAI Cup title defense, beginning in July against Crumlin. There is work to be done, on the pitch and off it. We are here. And we are not going anywhere. We will continue to invest in all areas of the club, including plans for a new stadium. We want to be regulars in Europe. 'This club is on the rise. Our league is on the rise. And no single outcome will change that. 'We fight on. Together.' More to follow…
The 42
12-06-2025
- Business
- The 42
Drogheda United confirm UEFA set to deny club's entry to Conference League
DROGHEDA UNITED HAVE confirmed that they will be submitting an appeal to the Court for Arbitration for Sport (CAS) after UEFA notified them that they face expulsion from this season's UEFA Conference League. In a statement released today, Drogheda say they are 'devastated' by the governing body's 'harsh and unfair' decision after what they described as months of negotiations to reach an acceptable proposal. Advertisement Drogheda also believe the rule changes from UEFA over the last year have been 'inconsistently communicated and enforced across various clubs.' The Louth club are set to miss out on European action, and over €500,000 in prize money, due to multi-club ownership rules as they are owned by American investors Trivela Group and qualified for the Conference League after winning last season's FAI Cup. However, Silkeborg IF are also part of Trivela's structure and won the Danish cup equivalent. Their higher place finish in the domestic league also went in their favour. 'The club can confirm that it has been notified by UEFA that we are facing expulsion from the UEFA Conference League due to Drogheda United and Silkeborg IF having both qualified for the same competition,' a club statement began. 'This is despite significant efforts by the club to work constructively with UEFA to make necessary ownership and governance changes to allow both to compete over the past several months. We are devastated by this potential development and believe it would be both harsh and unfair, given the way brand new rule changes this year have been, in our view, inconsistently communicated and enforced across various clubs. 'We are now appealing the decision to the Court for Arbitration for Sport (CAS). Given we are now in the midst of an ongoing legal proceeding, and out of respect for that process, UEFA, the CFCB, and the overall aim of sporting integrity, there are limits to what we are able to share at this time. 'What we can say is this: we are—even at this late hour—fighting to do anything and everything we can to secure our players', supporters', and community's place in Europe. We have been in active dialogue with UEFA for months and have put forward a share disposition, trust arrangements, and various other undertakings consistent with recent CFCB precedent, only to have all of those efforts rebuffed. 'Nevertheless, we look forward to the opportunity to be heard at CAS and thank you in advance for your support.
