Drogheda United will not be allowed to participate in the UEFA Conference League qualification round. UEFA has informed the Irish club that their shared ownership with Silkeborg IF, who also qualified for the tournament, is the reason for the decision.

The two clubs are both owned by the Trivela Group. Silkeborg qualified for the Conference League by finishing seventh in the Superligaen and winning the Superligaen’s Europa Playoff, while Drogheda United earned their spot by winning the Irish Cup.

Drogheda United has expressed strong disagreement with UEFA’s decision. The club intends to appeal the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

Drogheda United believes that the rule changes regarding multi-club ownership have been inconsistently applied. The club states they have been working with UEFA to find a solution to the issue but have not been successful.

According to UEFA rules, when two clubs with the same owner qualify for the same European tournament, the team with the higher ranking in their domestic league is given priority. Silkeborg’s higher league ranking in the Superligaen, compared to Drogheda United’s ninth-place finish in the Irish league, appears to be the determining factor in UEFA’s decision.