Drogheda owners to cover €525,000 shortfall after European expulsion
DROGHEDA UNITED OWNERS Trivela Group have confirmed they will cover the shortfall of more than €500,000 in the club's budget after they were expelled from European competition this season due to multi-club rules.
And co-chairman Ben Boycott has revealed that they have submitted documents to Louth County Council to pursue securing the land for our new stadium
The League of Ireland club failed in their appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to be reinstated to the UEFA Conference League on Monday.
Boycott wrote a lengthy open letter on the club's website regarding the situation and said the process of implementing rule changes around multi-club ownership 'lacked consistency, clarity, and fairness.'
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As detailed by The 42 yesterday, the FAI contacted Drogheda's owners last November regarding their participation in the UEFA Conference League as soon as they were notified of the firm's takeover of Danish side Silkeborg on 19 November last year.
A UEFA Circular was sent to the FAI on 7 October – before Trivela bought 80% of Silkeborg – regarding the change of deadline – from June to March – for multi-club groups to adhere to the requirements to participate in the same competition.
'I believe that this very limited communication around a significant rule change created a meaningful blind spot. It appears that other MCO groups were proactively contacted by UEFA in December and January regarding these rule changes,' Boycott said.
'Further, it seems that some of those that were contacted and began taking steps before this deadline were then given time to implement structures after the deadline. We were not ever contacted directly, and Drogheda was not afforded that same flexibility.
'Regardless of how it happened – the reality is that larger and more resourced clubs had much more information and opportunity than DUFC did. That's a system that puts clubs and groups like ours at a disadvantage.'
Looking to the remainder of this season, and beyond, Boycott insisted in the open letter that 'day-to-day operations are unaffected' by the loss of European prize money worth a minimum of €525,000, and provided an update on their plans to move to a new stadium.
'Let me be equally clear: this setback will not define Drogheda United's future. We care deeply about this club and this town, and we are committed to its long-term success. The club remains on sound footing. Trivela will cover the shortfall in revenue from missing Europe, and we are fully committed to seeing this project through. Day-to-day operations are unaffected.
'I will be meeting personally with our players and staff in the coming days, and I hope that we as a group can remain focused on the task at hand. Our FAI Cup title defence begins in July. And we have great potential to qualify for Europe again via the League of Ireland campaign.
'The future remains bright. We've now submitted documents to Louth County Council to pursue securing the land for our new stadium—one of the most significant steps in this club's history. That work continues, uninterrupted.'
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The Irish Sun
2 hours ago
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Drogheda United owners to cover HUGE shortfall after European expulsion as Ben Boycott slams UEFA ruling
DROGHEDA UNITED chairman Ben Boycott has confirmed that owners Trivela will cover the €525,000 hole in the club's budget following their Conference League expulsion. The Drogs learnt on Monday that their 2 Drogheda United's Ben Boycott has confirmed that owners Trivela will cover the €525,000 hole 2 The statement comes after Drogheda United manager Kevin Doherty's side were expelled from Europe And it meant that a shortfall of €525,000 - the minimum prize money - this year in expected revenue. But Boycott confirmed that it will have no impact on In an open letter to fans, he wrote: 'Trivela will cover the shortfall in revenue from missing Europe, and we are fully committed to seeing this project through. 'Day-to-day operations are unaffected. I will be meeting personally with our players and staff in the coming days, and I hope that we as a group can remain focused on the task at hand.' read more on football Trivela also own Danish club Silkeborg, who also qualified for the Conference League and led to Under UEFA rules, the club with a lower league place is excluded where two clubs have the same owners. But Boycott continues to argue that And he claims that UEFA contacted a number of clubs potentially impacted, but not Drogheda United. Most read in Football Drogs submitted to He said: 'It seems that some of those that were contacted and began taking steps before this deadline were then given time to implement structures after the deadline. Former Chelsea and Real Madrid star Geremi handed five-year ban from football activity after row with Samuel Eto'o 'We were not ever contacted directly, and Drogheda was not afforded that same flexibility. 'Worse still, historical precedent gave us every reason to believe that we would have a path to resolve any concerns post-assessment date. 'In recent years, multiple clubs have enacted share transfers, blind trust structures, and other remedies after the assessment date. 'Those precedents shaped our expectations—and we acted accordingly. 'I personally believe this decision makes an example of Drogheda so that UEFA can signal a change of approach to its regulation of MCOs (multi-club ownerships) 'It punishes a club that, just a year ago, was still part-time and operating without a CEO. 'It punishes a community-focused organization run with integrity, ambition, and limited resources—while major clubs with compliance departments and vast legal teams were granted direct communication and additional time to comply. 'That said, accountability ultimately falls on us at DUFC and at Trivela Group. 'The responsibility to navigate regulations—however murky or fast-changing—belongs to our leadership. 'And for that, I offer a personal, sincere apology to our players, staff, and supporters. This will never happen again.'
The 42
3 hours ago
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DROGHEDA UNITED OWNERS Trivela Group have confirmed they will cover the shortfall of more than €500,000 in the club's budget after they were expelled from European competition this season due to multi-club rules. And co-chairman Ben Boycott has revealed that they have submitted documents to Louth County Council to pursue securing the land for our new stadium The League of Ireland club failed in their appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to be reinstated to the UEFA Conference League on Monday. Boycott wrote a lengthy open letter on the club's website regarding the situation and said the process of implementing rule changes around multi-club ownership 'lacked consistency, clarity, and fairness.' Advertisement As detailed by The 42 yesterday, the FAI contacted Drogheda's owners last November regarding their participation in the UEFA Conference League as soon as they were notified of the firm's takeover of Danish side Silkeborg on 19 November last year. A UEFA Circular was sent to the FAI on 7 October – before Trivela bought 80% of Silkeborg – regarding the change of deadline – from June to March – for multi-club groups to adhere to the requirements to participate in the same competition. 'I believe that this very limited communication around a significant rule change created a meaningful blind spot. It appears that other MCO groups were proactively contacted by UEFA in December and January regarding these rule changes,' Boycott said. 'Further, it seems that some of those that were contacted and began taking steps before this deadline were then given time to implement structures after the deadline. We were not ever contacted directly, and Drogheda was not afforded that same flexibility. 'Regardless of how it happened – the reality is that larger and more resourced clubs had much more information and opportunity than DUFC did. That's a system that puts clubs and groups like ours at a disadvantage.' Looking to the remainder of this season, and beyond, Boycott insisted in the open letter that 'day-to-day operations are unaffected' by the loss of European prize money worth a minimum of €525,000, and provided an update on their plans to move to a new stadium. 'Let me be equally clear: this setback will not define Drogheda United's future. We care deeply about this club and this town, and we are committed to its long-term success. The club remains on sound footing. Trivela will cover the shortfall in revenue from missing Europe, and we are fully committed to seeing this project through. Day-to-day operations are unaffected. 'I will be meeting personally with our players and staff in the coming days, and I hope that we as a group can remain focused on the task at hand. Our FAI Cup title defence begins in July. And we have great potential to qualify for Europe again via the League of Ireland campaign. 'The future remains bright. We've now submitted documents to Louth County Council to pursue securing the land for our new stadium—one of the most significant steps in this club's history. That work continues, uninterrupted.'
Irish Independent
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