RedHat
23/12/2002, 7:48 AM
Drogheda United may face expulsion from the Eircom League due to recent rule breaches. Some members of the Board of Control have even threatened to go to UEFA and FIFA to sort out the matter, but the club has vowed to clear its name.
The controversy surrounds Rule 10, and in particular Drogheda’s failure to inform the league within 14 days when a change in the structure and management of their company had been undertaken.
The Ireland On Sunday newspaper carried a report three weeks ago containing information that Drogheda’s holding company had been struck off almost 18 months ago and they had apparently failed to inform the League.
“This is a hundred times more serious than anything that has taken place in the league before and we are adamant that Mr Hyland deal with it post haste. This will not be swept under the carpet. We will go to UEFA and FIFA if needs be,” warned a disgruntled Board of Control member.
“As far as I and my colleagues are concerned, Drogheda United have, by their actions, all but absented themselves from the league. They have broken Rule 10f, having failed to inform the League of the changes for 18 months,” he continued.
“We have no problems with people falling behind with certain payments. But engaging in a practice, which sees a club, gaining an advantage on the others is not on. It is obvious from the report in Ireland On Sunday that Drogheda United do not fulfil the requirements of League membership since Hinge Trading, the company mentioned as being the former controlling body, was struck off.”
Drogheda have until January 13th to resolve the matter but a club spokesperson has admitted that they are working hard to meet the criteria. “We are confident that we can address the concerns of the FAI raised in recent discussions. It will not be easy, but we have already met some of the criteria laid out and have undertaken to meet the rest by the appointed date.”
The controversy surrounds Rule 10, and in particular Drogheda’s failure to inform the league within 14 days when a change in the structure and management of their company had been undertaken.
The Ireland On Sunday newspaper carried a report three weeks ago containing information that Drogheda’s holding company had been struck off almost 18 months ago and they had apparently failed to inform the League.
“This is a hundred times more serious than anything that has taken place in the league before and we are adamant that Mr Hyland deal with it post haste. This will not be swept under the carpet. We will go to UEFA and FIFA if needs be,” warned a disgruntled Board of Control member.
“As far as I and my colleagues are concerned, Drogheda United have, by their actions, all but absented themselves from the league. They have broken Rule 10f, having failed to inform the League of the changes for 18 months,” he continued.
“We have no problems with people falling behind with certain payments. But engaging in a practice, which sees a club, gaining an advantage on the others is not on. It is obvious from the report in Ireland On Sunday that Drogheda United do not fulfil the requirements of League membership since Hinge Trading, the company mentioned as being the former controlling body, was struck off.”
Drogheda have until January 13th to resolve the matter but a club spokesperson has admitted that they are working hard to meet the criteria. “We are confident that we can address the concerns of the FAI raised in recent discussions. It will not be easy, but we have already met some of the criteria laid out and have undertaken to meet the rest by the appointed date.”