Heartache for Drogheda United as CAS delivers verdict on challenge to UEFA ban

Irish Daily Mirror

7 hours ago

Drogheda United have expressed 'disbelief' and 'heartbreak' at the decision by the Court of Arbitration for Sport to uphold UEFA's decision to kick the club out of the Europa Conference League.
The Boynesiders' appeal has been dismissed by CAS, with confirmation of that decision coming on Monday evening.
Drogheda had qualified for Europe after winning last season's FAI Cup, but club owners Trivela Group last February purchased a majority share in Danish side Silkeborg and their qualification for the same competition, which was secured earlier this month, saw the League of Ireland side fall foul of UEFA's multi-club ownership rules.
CAS, in a 300-word summary of their ruling, wrote that it had 'dismissed an appeal by Drogheda United Football Club against UEFA concerning a decision to remove the club from the UEFA Conference League 2025/2026, due to non-compliance with the UEFA Regulations on multi club ownership.'
Drogheda could not convince the court that it should be included in the draw for the second qualifying round on Wednesday. The ruling will leave the club without the €525,000 minimum that playing in Europe would have guaranteed them.
United reacted in a statement issued ahead of Monday night's Premier League clash with Shamrock Rovers, which read: '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.
'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.'