Drogheda out of Europe after appeal to CAS fails
Drogheda United won't be involved in this week's Uefa Conference League draw after the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
The FAI Cup champions were due to embark on their first European campaign since 2013, straight into Wednesday's second round draw as Cup winners, until issues arose around the control of their owners Trivela Group.
Uefa rules debar clubs with the same owners facing each other for sporting integrity purposes and an obstacle arose due to Trivela's latest addition, Silkeborg IK recently qualifying for the competition from the Danish league.
Trivela holds the full 100% stake in Drogs and 80% shareholding in Silkeborg.
Today's hearing in Switzerland lasted five hours but ultimately ended in disappointment - Drogs becoming the first team eliminated for such reasons.
Drogheda's appeal centred on alleged communications failures from Uefa. Up to this year, multi-club motherships had until June 1 to restructure in order to comply with regulations, allowing outfits such as Aston Villa, Manchester United and Manchester City to avoid complications for sister clubs.
This deadline was changed to March but Trivela contend they received no direct correspondence flagging the shorter window whereas others did.
Workarounds such as blind trusts can be established to assuage the European governing body but this avenue was closed to Drogs due to the new time constraints.
Crystal Palace co-owner John Textor is in the process of divesting his 25% share due to his ownership of French club Lyon due to the two involved in the Europa League.
As well as the prestige of European exposure, Drogheda stood to lose the €525,000 in prize-money guaranteed to second round participants.
Ireland will only have three participants as it was too late for a replacement to acquire a Uefa license.
Shelbourne will learn their Champions League first round opponents on Tuesday.
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