Drogheda United Faces UEFA Conference League Expulsion Over Multi-Club Ownership

Drogheda United are facing expulsion from the UEFA Conference League due to UEFA's multi-club ownership rules, which prohibit clubs with the same majority owners from competing in the same European competition. The Irish club, owned by the US-based Trivela Group, shares ownership with Danish club Silkeborg IF, which also qualified for the Conference League and holds priority due to a higher league finish. Drogheda United have expressed that the new rules have been inconsistently communicated and enforced, and despite significant efforts to negotiate ownership and governance changes with UEFA, their appeals have been rejected. The club is now appealing the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) while continuing to fight to secure their place in the competition for the sake of their players and supporters. Similar ownership conflicts threaten other clubs, such as Crystal Palace, which shares ownership stakes with Lyon, both qualified for European competitions. UEFA has remained largely silent on these ongoing legal disputes pending their resolution.