The owner of Waterford FC Lee Power has instructed his lawyers to lodge an appeal with UEFA following the decision not to grant the club a licence to play in the Europa League qualifying rounds next season. He is also asking for a full investgiation into the FAI handling of the matter.
In a statement Lee Power said they feel they have been totally misled by the FAI and were given assurances throughout this five-month process by them that the licence would be granted.
We also had club visits by UEFA Delegates during this period of which no issues were raised.
The Chairman said as a club, they entered into substantial commercial agreements and invested heavily again into the team. They had budgeted for the qualification money, of just under a quarter of a million euro, which was due in November.
This will now have a serious financial impact on the club going forward.
Lee Power says the people who matter the most - The Supporters - have been badly let down by the people in Ireland governing this process.
Waterford FC look set to be replaced in the Europa League qualifying rounds after the FAI announced last night that the club will not be granted a licence from Uefa to play in the competition.
St Patrick’s Athletic, who finished one place behind Waterford last season, are in line to replace them.
Waterford had requested a special dispensation from Uefa as technically the club has been in existence for less than three years.
However this has been rejected with the FAI releasing a statement from Uefa saying "Waterford FC’s exception request has been rejected on the non-fulfilment of the three-year rule as defined in the UEFA Club Licensing and Financial Fair Play Regulations.
It says Waterford FC may not apply for a licence for the UEFA Club Competitions for the season 2019/20.
| Waterford FC Statement: UEFA Licensing
Everyone at Waterford FC are deeply shocked and saddened at the news that we have been expelled from playing in the Europa League this season. We feel we have been totally misled by the FAI and were given assurances throughout this five-month process by them that the licence would be granted. We also had club visits by UEFA Delegates during this period of which no issues were raised. As a club, we entered into substantial commercial agreements and invested heavily again into the team and also budgeted for the qualification money due in November. This will now have a serious financial impact on the club going forward. The circumstances to which this decision has been made and the events over the last week are unclear and dubious, bearing in mind representations made to us and assurances given. We will be asking for a full investigation into the FAI handling of this matter. I have instructed my UK Lawyers to lodge an immediate appeal with UEFA and will pursue any legal avenue we have with regards to compensation and/or any wrong doing against a number of parties. Finally, I must mention the people who matter the most – The Supporters - who have supported this club through thick and thin and have been badly let down by the people in Ireland governing this process. Lee Power,
|
