Editing Openai/6923772e-905c-8010-9104-b8d007833c93 (section)

=== Summary of the Award ===

==== 1. Background ====

Drogheda United FC (“DUFC”) qualified on sporting merit for the 2025/26 UEFA Conference League (UECL) by winning the FAI Cup on 10 November 2024.

However, DUFC and Silkeborg IF (SIF) were both majority-owned by Trivela Group as of 1 March 2025, meaning both clubs were part of the same multi-club ownership (MCO) structure. Under Article 5.01 UCC Regulations (2025/26), clubs owned or controlled by the same entity cannot both be admitted to the same UEFA competition.

On 5 June 2025, UEFA’s Club Financial Control Body (CFCB) First Chamber ruled:
* DUFC and SIF were non-compliant with the MCO rule on 1 March 2025; and
* Applying Article 5.02, only one club could be admitted;
* SIF, ranked higher domestically (7th in Denmark vs. DUFC’s 9th in Ireland), was admitted;
* DUFC was excluded from the 2025/26 UECL.

DUFC appealed to CAS seeking reinstatement and permission to execute a blind trust before the competition began.

CAS dismissed the appeal in full.