UEFA to expel Drogheda United from Conference League

Terrible news for Drogs.

Drogs qualified for the third-tier of Europe after winning the FAI Cup last season.

However, under UEFA's ownership rules, two clubs with the same owner are not allowed compete in the same competition.

Both Drogheda and Danish club Silkeborg are owned by Trivel, but the latter keep their place due to their higher league positions.

It is a significant blow, given that there is €500,000 in prize money up for grabs.

The Louth club have released the following statement: "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 having both qualified for the same competition.

"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're now appealing the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

"Given we are now in the midst of an ongoing legal battle, and out of respect for that process, UEFA and CFCB, and the overall aim of sporting integrity, there are limits to what we are able to share.

"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."