IRISH soccer side Drogheda United say they are in talks with UEFA with the organisation's multi-club ownership rules posing questions over the Drogs' place in Europe next season.
The League of Ireland side qualified for the second qualifying round of the UEFA Conference League following their FAI Cup victory over Derry City last November.
However, the Drogs' participation in Europe for the first time in 12 years could be at risk after Danish side Silkeborg also qualified for the competition yesterday and are due to enter at the same stage.
Both Drogheda and Silkeborg — as well as English League Two side Walsall and African side Trivela FC Togo — are owned by Trivela Group.
The organisation took control of Drogheda in February 2024 and acquired Silkeborg 10 months later.
However, UEFA has strict rules around clubs with the same owners competing in the same European competition.
'Ongoing discussions'
In a statement after Silkeborg qualified for Europe on Sunday with a 3-1 defeat of Randers in the Danish Superliga European play-off match, Drogheda said it had been 'working proactively' on the issue.
"Drogheda United Football Club can confirm that it has been engaged in ongoing discussions with UEFA in recent months regarding a regulatory matter that has now arisen following Silkeborg IF's qualification for the UEFA Conference League qualifiers," it read.
"As supporters will know, Silkeborg IF is also part of the Trivela Group ownership structure, which includes Drogheda United.
"UEFA's regulations regarding multi-club ownership and participation in UEFA Club Competitions require careful consideration, and the club has been working proactively with the relevant authorities.
"At this time, due to the confidential and ongoing nature of the process, Drogheda United is unable to provide further comment.
"However, the club remains committed to transparency and will provide updates as soon as there are any significant developments to share.
"We appreciate the continued support and understanding of our fans, partners, and wider community."
Similar cases
Premier League club Chelsea faced a similar situation last month when both they and French side Strasbourg — both owned by BlueCo — were on course to qualify for the Champions League.
Ultimately, the London side qualified while Strasbourg finished 7th in Ligue 1, qualifying for the Conference League play-off round instead.
Similarly, Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis diluted his control of the Premier League club in anticipation of qualifying for the Champions League by placing his shares in a blind trust.
Olympiacos, who are also owned by Marinakis, qualified for the competition after winning the Greek Super League, while Forest ultimately finished in seventh, qualifying for the Conference League play-off round.
Drogheda have had five previous European campaigns, the last in the 2013-14 season when they lost 2-0 on aggregate to Swedish side Malmo in the first qualifying round of the Europa League.
The club's best performance in Europe was in the 2008-09 season, when they reached the second qualifying round of the Champions League, where they narrowly lost 4-3 on aggregate to Dynamo Kyiv.
Silkeborg, who competed in the group stage of the Conference League in 2022-23, have qualified for Europe for the third time in four seasons.
