Drogheda United Expelled from UEFA Conference League Over Ownership Conflict
By ArdeePost Reporter
Drogheda United Club Appeals to Court of Arbitration for Sport
In a devastating blow to their European dreams, Drogheda United have confirmed they will not be permitted to compete in the 2025 UEFA Europa Conference League, after being disqualified by UEFA due to a conflict in ownership rules. The club has now launched a legal appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in an attempt to reverse the decision.
Despite qualifying for European football for the first time in 12 years by winning the FAI Cup in 2024, Drogheda have fallen foul of UEFA’s multi-club ownership regulations, which prohibit two clubs under shared ownership from participating in the same European competition.
The issue stems from Drogheda’s ownership by American investment group Trivela, who also hold an 80% stake in Danish side Silkeborg IF, a club that also secured qualification for the Conference League through its domestic league finish.
Silkeborg Given Priority Under UEFA Rules
Under UEFA guidelines, when two clubs with the same owners qualify for the same European competition, priority is given to the team that qualifies through league placement — in this case, Silkeborg, who finished higher in Denmark’s top flight.
In a statement issued late Monday, Drogheda United acknowledged their expulsion and expressed deep frustration at UEFA’s handling of the matter:
“We are devastated by this potential development and believe it would be both harsh and unfair,” the statement read.
“We have been in active dialogue with UEFA for months and have put forward share disposition plans, trust arrangements, and various undertakings consistent with recent precedent, only to have all of those efforts rebuffed.”
Legal Battle Begins at CAS
The club has now turned to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, lodging an appeal in a bid to overturn UEFA’s ruling. However, the timeline is tight, with the draw for the first round of the Europa Conference League due to take place in mid-June.
The club has not disclosed whether a blind trust — a mechanism used by some English clubs to temporarily separate ownership control — was implemented before UEFA’s deadline. However, the club indicated they are limited in what they can share publicly due to the ongoing legal proceedings.
“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,” the club said.
A Financial and Sporting Blow
The ruling is a significant setback for the Boynesiders, who stood to gain more than €500,000 in guaranteed UEFA prize money simply by participating in the opening round of the competition — not to mention additional revenue from matchday gate receipts, broadcast rights, and sponsorship bonuses.
Even more painful is the fact that no other Irish club can take Drogheda’s place, as the UEFA licensing deadline has already passed. This means Ireland will be left one representative short in European competition this season.
Reaction from the League and Fans
There has been widespread disappointment within the League of Ireland community, with many expressing support for Drogheda and concerns over the broader implications of UEFA’s evolving rules around multi-club ownership.
League of Ireland pundits have questioned why UEFA’s enforcement appears inconsistent, noting that other clubs with overlapping ownership structures in England and France have found temporary workarounds.
What’s Next for Drogheda?
- The CAS appeal will now be Drogheda United’s last chance to reverse the decision.
- UEFA’s stance appears firm, but precedent and the timing of new rule changes could be central to Drogheda’s legal argument.
- A ruling is expected before the Conference League draw on June 13, but delays could still affect the competition’s structure.
Club’s Final Word
“We thank our supporters for standing with us. We owe it to them — and to the players who earned this on the pitch — to fight until the very end.”
Drogheda’s European fairytale is hanging by a thread — not due to defeat on the pitch, but because of decisions made in boardrooms across Europe. Now, all eyes turn to CAS and whether the Boynesiders can win the biggest legal battle in their history.
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