FAI were made aware of multi-club changes by Uefa last October - Drogs saga rumbles on
Kevin Doherty, Drogheda United manager. Pic: James Lawlor, Inpho
Uefa informed the FAI of upcoming multi-club ownership deadline changes last October, raising confusion about the grounds for Drogheda United’s ultimately unsuccessful appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Given Trivela holds the full 100% stake in Drogs and 80% shareholding in Silkeborg, Uefa decreed that the higher finisher in their league, the Danes, remain in this week’s Europa Conference League draw.
The basis of the Drogs appeal against their expulsion to the last resort in Switzerland centred on alleged communication failures around changed dates in clubs restructuring to comply with multi-club regulations.
The verdict of the three-person CAS panel, which went against them 2-1: “We conclude that Drogheda knew, or ought to have known, about the change. An Operative Decision was taken by the majority of the panel to dismiss the appeal.”
Up to this year, multi-club motherships had until June 1 to restructure in order to comply with regulations, allowing outfits such as Aston Villa, Manchester United and Manchester City to avoid complications for sister clubs.
This deadline was changed to March but Trivela contend they received no direct correspondence flagging the shorter window whereas others did.
Uefa informed all 55 member associations, including the FAI, of the new date as far back as last October.
Drogheda won the FAI Cup in November, the same month Trivela acquired Silkeborg. The FAI have been contacted for comment.
Their circular reads: “The amendment approved by the UEFA Executive Committee brings the assessment date forward to March 1 for all club competitions.
“This change was deemed necessary considering the complexity of the cases investigated by the Club Financial Control Body (CFCB), which is charged with dealing with multi-club ownership issues.
“The newly approved assessment date is intended to provide sufficient time for completion of the decision-making process and ensure the smooth running of UEFA’s club competitions.
“The change has been approved and communicated early to enable clubs to prepare and ensure their compliance with the multi-club ownership criteria stipulated in Article 5.01 ahead of the new deadline for the 2025/26 season."
The League of Ireland now loses one of its four slots in this week’s draws as no other club, such as beaten FAI Cup finalists Derry City, applied for a Uefa licence before the deadline. Those were granted last month.
Workarounds such as blind trusts can be established to assuage the European governing body but this avenue was closed to Drogs due to the new time constraints.
"We disagree with this decision,” a statement released by Drogheda and Trivela, reacting to the verdict delivered shortly after a five-hour virtual hearing.
“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."
“The club has accepted some culpability for the situation.
"Nevertheless, we accept responsibility. And we’re sorry. But while we are saddened, we are also emboldened.”
Timing was particularly inopportune for manager Kevin Doherty as it arrived two hours before his side hosted leaders Shamrock Rovers.
“I don’t know what to feel yet,” he said before the match, still absorbing the gravity of the outcome.
“We're devastated. It's very, very, very, very disappointing.
“I spoke to the players there and it's not the easiest conversation I've ever had.
“Going into last Friday’s game against St Patrick’s Athletic, we were still fighting but now Europe is gone.
“We have a brilliant group of players and today is a tough time. I can sugarcoat it but we’re sick.”
Ironically, Monday’s game was brought forward to ease domestic congestion for the quartet of teams involved in European competition.
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