Spanish outfit Osasuna will not feature in next season’s UEFA Conference League due to a match fixing scandal that dates back to 2014.
Osasuna confirmed on Tuesday that UEFA, European football governing body, have excluded them from the third-tier European club competition.
In a statement via their official website, the club announced: “The UEFA Appeals Committee has made the decision today to leave Club Atlético Osasuna out of the 2023-2024 Conference League.
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“The members of the UEFA Appeals Committee have not taken into account the allegations presented by the entity last Friday and have reaffirmed the initial opinion of the inspectors of the UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Committee.”
What really happened?
UEFA have barred Osasuna from playing in next season’s European competition. The club had qualified for the competition after finishing seventh in La Liga last season.
Last month, UEFA’s Control, Ethics and Disciplinary committee recommended that Osasuna be barred from next season’s Europa Conference League.
Osasuna constitutionally appealed the decision, but it has now been rejected. This means they will not play European football in 2023/24.
Reason(s) for ban
An investigation into match-fixing scandal by the club reportedly took place between 2012 and 2014. Following the investigation, Osasuna were found guilty of the offence.
UEFA stated that the club had been directly involved in such offences, and they have subsequently been banned from next season’s competition, after their appeal was rejected.
What next?
The case can still be taken to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) and that is what Osasuna have confirmed they will do.
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The club says it will take the matter further, as they look to take their place in Europe. However, if things remain the same, Athletic Bilbao are poised to take Osasuna’s place in the UEFA Conference League instead.
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