![\"\"](\"https:\/\/valloni.ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/A-modern-digital-artwork-in-a-vibrant-digital-blue-color-palette.-The-scene-features-a-futuristic-football-stadium-filled-with-energy-and-fun-under-b-VALLONI.ie_-1.jpg\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
On 17 June 2025, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) dismissed the appeal brought by\u00a0Drogheda United FC<\/strong>, an Irish football club, challenging the UEFA decision to exclude the Club from the 2025\/26 UEFA Conference League. The decision was based on\u00a0Article 5.01 of the UEFA Conference League Regulations<\/strong>, which prohibit the participation of multiple clubs under common ownership (MCO) or influence in the same UEFA competition.<\/p>\n Drogheda United FC and\u00a0Silkeborg IF<\/strong>, a Danish Club, which also qualified for the tournament, are both owned by\u00a0Trivela Group<\/strong>, a U.S.-based investment company.<\/p>\n On 5 June 2025, the UEFA Club Financial Control Body concluded that, as of the applicable assessment date \u2013\u00a01 March 2025<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 the two clubs failed to meet the independence requirements set out in the Competition Regulations.<\/p>\n Under\u00a0Article 5.01<\/strong>\u00a0of the Regulations, each club must demonstrate that it complied with the following criteria as of 1 March 2025 and continues to do so throughout the competition. This Article provides that:<\/p>\n \u201cNo club participating in a UEFA club competition may, either directly or indirectly:<\/em> <\/p>\n The Article further prohibits any natural or legal person from\u00a0exercising control or influence<\/strong>\u00a0over more than one participating club, including through:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n – a majority of shareholders\u2019 voting rights;<\/em><\/p>\n – the right to appoint or remove board members;<\/em><\/p>\n – shareholder agreements; or<\/em><\/p>\n – any other means of<\/em>\u00a0<\/em>decisive influence<\/em><\/strong>.<\/p>\n The majority of the three-member CAS Panel held that the amendment to the assessment date (moved from 3 June to 1 March 2025) had been properly communicated by UEFA. The Panel further found that\u00a0Drogheda United FC knew, or ought to have known<\/strong>, of this deadline. It also rejected allegations of unequal treatment, finding no breach of the UEFA regulatory duties.<\/p>\n This CAS Award confirms the enduring relevance of the UEFA integrity-based restrictions on multi-club ownership, aligning with the landmark\u00a0ENIC decision<\/strong>\u00a0(CAS 98\/200) and the\u00a0European Commission decision<\/strong>\u00a0in\u00a0ENIC\/UEFA<\/em>\u00a0(COMP\/37806). These precedents upheld the legitimacy of such rules, aimed at preventing conflicts of interest and ensuring public trust in the authenticity of the results of sporting competitions.<\/p>\n
\n<\/em>\u2013 hold or deal in the securities or shares of any other club participating in a UEFA club competition;<\/em>
\n<\/em>\u2013 be a member of any other club participating in a UEFA club competition;<\/em>
\n<\/em>\u2013 be involved in any capacity whatsoever in the management, administration and\/or sporting performance of any other club participating in a UEFA club competition; or<\/em>
\n<\/em>\u2013 have any power whatsoever in the management, administration and\/or sporting performance of any other club participating in a UEFA club competition.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n