Drogheda United have lost their appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport around their removal to compete in this season's Conference League.
The Louth club had qualified to compete in the qualifying rounds having won last season's FAI Cup.
However, because United are owned by the Trivela Group, they won't be allowed compete as the same group also has a stake in Danish club Silkeborg.
Under UEFA rules, two clubs with the same majority owners can't compete in the same European competition.
Silkeborg will be allowed participate, as they finished higher in their own domestic league table.
In a statement Drogheda United said; “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.
Drogheda United disagree with CAS decision
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.
Drogheda United & Trivela Group”
