Almost makes it worse imo. It shows how arbitrary the rules are and that drogs obviously had a case.
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Almost makes it worse imo. It shows how arbitrary the rules are and that drogs obviously had a case.
I'd be very interested to read the detailed CAS report if and when it ever gets published. The media release by CAS says "If Parties do not request confidentiality, a full CAS Award with grounds will be published in the coming weeks." But I wouldn't be surprised if UEFA requests confidentiality to not give ammunition to other clubs contesting similar decisions in the future.
The FAI are not alone in sharing UEFA and FIFA Circulars with clubs. National Associations should really do better. However, all circulars are published on both the UEFA and FIFA websites. Now it wouldn't be expected that clubs would know when to check for new Circulars appearing, but it should be good practise to check on a regular basis.
However, the European Clubs Association, being aware that it is important the clubs have sight of such important Circulars, send them directly to their member clubs as a matter of routine.
The ECA have over 700 member clubs across Europe, including many from both leagues on the island.
The Circular in question WAS shared by the ECA on the 20th October 2024.
Drogheda are a member of the ECA.
That's all fine and as I say, this doesn't let Trivela off the hook.
But if you're the FAI, you share the fecking circular
The FAI statement on this:
“At the time of publication of the UEFA Circular in question on 7 October 2024, Drogheda United FC’s ownership group did not own Silkeborg IF therefore this UEFA Circular was not sent by the FAI to the Club.
When the FAI were notified of Trivela Group’s takeover of Silkeborg IF on 19 November 2024, the FAI informed the Trivela Group of our concerns regarding Drogheda United FC’s participation the UEFA Conference League should Silkeborg IF qualify for the tournament due to UEFA’s Multi-Club Ownership Regulations.
UEFA were informed of the multi-club ownership scenario regarding Drogheda United FC and Silkeborg IF via the standard procedures by both the FAI and DBU.
All ten Men’s Premier Division teams were invited by the FAI to apply for a UEFA Licence in December but only the four clubs who qualified on sporting merit completed the process. On 7 May 2025 the awarding of UEFA Licences was announced by the FAI following the completion of the Independent Licensing Committee review.”
I really don't know how much handholding people expect of the FAI at this stage.
Pretty damning stuff for the rest of the clubs also that didn’t bother applying
is there a cost in applying and is it prohibitive
Whatever the cost is for a UEFA License application it surely must have been affordable for a club owned by Philip O'Doherty
Considering on FIVE previous occasions since 2006 a LOI club who qualified for Europe could not participate for one reason or another resulting in another club who did not originally qualify being bumped into Europe there is no excuse for Derry/Sligo/Galway not submitting a 'just incase' application
2006: Shelbourne finished 1st qualified/excluded, St. Patrick's Athletic bumped into UEFA Cup as FAI Cup runners-up
2009: Cork City finished 3rd qualified/excluded, Dundalk bumped into Europa League as 5th place team
2010: Sporting Fingal finished 4th qualified/excluded, St. Patrick's Athletic bumped into Europa League as 5th place team
2011: Derry City finished 3rd not eligible, Bohemians bumped into Europa League as 5th place team
2018: Waterford finished 4th not eligible, St. Patrick's Athletic bumped into Europa League as 5th place team
2024: Drogheda United FAI Cup winners not eligible, no club bumped into Europe
Jeez Pats have done well
You are absolutely right, the FAI are obviously not involved in creatig this mess. I think we all made an assumption that they must have had something to do with a f*ck up like this. It says plaenty about the lack of faith in our NGO and the job they have to build trust as I dont think there was ever any to restore even after Delaney's thieving and hoodwinking. I wonder what it would take.
Fault is obviously in the lap of Tivela here, maybe Drogheda should have been pushing them for solutions in the event of an issue. Its disappointing for the fans but it isnt catastrophic in that the money lost would keep the lights on or go bang.
UEFA are the shysters that are denying a small club that fell foul of rules that others have gotten around with BS technicalities on ownership - temporary transfers of a % of sharers or ownership in to blind accounts and shell companies controlled by the same people etc etc. UEFA had at least a semblence of integrity, certainly in comparison to FIFA (i didnt even know this club world cup has started). The rules on multiclubs are pointless if their intention is obvious so bin the rules as I cant see how multiclubs can be stopped, moderated, or even to close the countless loopholes that could be created. But anyways apologies to the FAI for assumig they were still totally sh1te....
Linfield were well beaten 4-1 tonight by TNS in a closed-doors friendly at Windsor Park.
Not sure what strength of team Linfield played. It isn't referenced on their social media from what I can see, which suggests it might have been a fairly weakened side (?). They seemed to have bene more interested in launching a new kit. TNS had quite a few triallists on their team.
TNS drew 2-2 with Larne earlier in the week.
Considering Drogheda's exclusion does that mean the LOI has 3 representatives with the total country coefficient being divided by 3?
Is it compulsory that a a cup runners-up gets to represent the league in Euro competitions as one of the 4/5 teams, should the cup winners have already qualified?
Cup runners-up haven't been allowed into Europe for a good few years at this stage. Only Cup winners; everything else through the league.