Irish side Drogheda expelled from Europe after losing CAS appeal

Drogheda United’s appeal against their dismissal from the 2025-26 Uefa Conference League has been rejected by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

The Irish Premier Division club were expelled by Uefa under a rule which states two clubs in the same competition cannot be under the same ownership, with US-based Trivela Group also owning Danish side Silkeborg.

Uefa rules mean the lower-ranked team, in this case Drogheda, are excluded from the competition.

Drogheda won the FAI Cup in November 2024 as a semi-professional side. However, Silkeborg’s seventh-place finish in the Danish league outweighs Drogheda’s ninth place in the League of Ireland Premier Division.

Trivela bought Silkeborg shortly after Drogheda’s FAI Cup triumph.

In a statement, Drogheda expressed their “great heartbreak and disbelief” at CAS’ decision.

“We strongly disagree with this decision, and had hoped and believed that the principles of fairness and common sense would prevail,” the club said.

“After months of engagement, constructive dialogue, countless hours of legal preparation, and multiple proposals based on frameworks that have been accepted in the past, we have come up short.

Drogheda, who are currently third in the League of Ireland Premier Division and face Shamrock Rovers on Monday night, called the decision “unjust”.

“Rules should protect opportunity, not prevent it,” their statement added.

“Especially for community-driven clubs like ours who fight every day to punch above their weight.

“Nevertheless, we accept responsibility. And we’re sorry. But while we are saddened, we are also emboldened.