Just over a month before the begging of the UEFA Conference League qualifying stages, 2024 FAI Cup champions Drogheda United were dealt with a huge potential blow that could prevent them from competing for a league phase spot.
Trivela Group, a U.S based sports investment firm, officially acquired Drogheda United in November 2023, other clubs they have invested in include Walsall FC and Silkeborg IF, with the Norwegian side recently earning a spot in the Conference League qualifying stages. This is where the problem is, with two sides under the same ownership not allowed to compete in UEFA competitions under Article 5.02
No individual or legal entity may have control or influence over more than one club participating in a UEFA club competition, such control or influence being defined as:
Holding a majority of the shareholders’ voting rights;
Having the right to appoint or remove a majority of the members of the administrative, management or supervisory body of the club;
Being a shareholder and alone controlling a majority of the shareholders’ voting rights pursuant to an agreement entered into with other shareholders of the club;
Being able to exercise by any means a decisive influence in the decision-making of the club.
On June 1st, Drogheda United released an official statement in response to the news.
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. 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.
Similar issues have been dealt with in the past, Manchester City and Girona complied with UEFA rules by placing Girona’s shares in a blind trust and removing City Football Group’s control. So, for both Drogheda and Silkeborg to compete in the Conference League qualifiers, Trivela Group will have to sell the majority of their shares in one of the two clubs.
Drogheda’s European prospects aren’t over, but they are certainly at risk.