Drogs Discuss Conference League Entry with UEFA Officials
Drogs discuss Conference League entry with UEFA officials after a potential ownership conflict surfaced. Drogheda United are speaking with UEFA following Silkeborg IF’s qualification for the same competition. Both clubs are under the Trivela Group, a US-based ownership group that also controls English side Walsall. Silkeborg secured their Conference League spot after a 3-1 win over Randers FC in Denmark’s Superliga. Drogheda, on the other hand, earned their place last November when they won the FAI Cup by beating Derry City.
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The Multi-Club Ownership Dilemma
Here’s where it gets complicated. UEFA rules don’t allow two clubs owned by the same group to compete in the same European competition. Specifically, the organization prohibits any individual or entity from having control or significant influence over more than one club in a UEFA tournament. This includes owning most of the voting shares or having the power to appoint key officials within the club. Since Trivela owns both Drogheda and Silkeborg, this rule now puts the Irish club’s European hopes at risk.
What Happens If Drogs Can’t Compete?
If Drogheda is ruled ineligible, UEFA says the slot would go to the highest-ranked team in the domestic league that grants access to that competition. In this case, Silkeborg’s seventh-place finish in Denmark trumps Drogheda’s ninth-place position in the Irish Premier Division. That means Derry City—last year’s FAI Cup runners-up and fourth in the league—could be next in line to take Drogheda’s place if needed.
Possible Workarounds and What’s Next
Interestingly, other clubs have found ways around UEFA’s multi-club ownership rule. Manchester United’s co-owners INEOS did so by placing their stake in French side Nice into a blind trust for the 2024/25 Europa League. A similar move was made by Nottingham Forest’s owner regarding Olympiacos. For now, Drogheda is staying tight-lipped. The club released a statement saying it’s been in active talks with UEFA but can’t comment further due to the confidential nature of the discussions. They’ve promised to keep fans updated once there’s more to share.
