A team that has protected a trophy to help them qualify for European competition next season is excluded from competing after an appeal has been rejected.
The team in question has lodged their appeal against the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) because of rules with two ownership.
The Irish Prime Minister Division side Drogheda United was forbidden to participate in next season's conference after the Danish side qualified Silkorg – with both teams owned by the American Trivela Group.
Since Drogheda are the lower-arranged team of the two that finished ninth in the League of Ireland Premier Division, while Silkeborg was seventh in the top of Denmark, the UEFA rules means that the Irish outfit will be excluded.
In a statement, Drogheda, who won the Fai Cup as a semi-professional team last November, said: “We strongly disagree with this decision and had hoped and believed that the principles of fairness and common sense would prevail.”
'After months of involvement, constructive dialogue, countless hours of legal preparation and several proposals on the basis of frameworks that have been accepted in the past, we have fallen short.
'Despite real and vocal support in the football world, the statement did not fall to our advantage. We are deeply driven by the outcome. '
“Rules must protect the chances, not prevent it,” added their explanation.
'Especially for community -driven clubs such as ours who fight every day to beat their weight.
'We nevertheless accept responsibility. And we are sorry. But although we are sad, we are also encouraged.
“We will not let this setback define. Instead, we will use it as fuel. Our club has never been received and we have earned every centimeter by grit, resilience and unity. And we will continue to do this. '
Their setback in missing a European tournament comes into question with the participation of Premier League Side Crystal Palace on the Europa League.
Based on winning their first major trophy in history when last month beat 1-0 to Manchester City 1-0 in the FA Cup final, the Eagles seemed to have booked an automatic place in Europe for the first time.
UEFA, however, still has to decide whether they can compete, since the South London side is owned by the American businessman John Textor, who also has an interest of 43% in Lyon.
The French side qualified for the Europa League thanks to a sixth place in Ligue 1, which they won with the victory on the last day of the season.
The recent seasons have been allowed to play Manchester City, Manchester United and Aston Villa in European competition, despite concerns about Multi-Club ownership with these clubs.