Derry City lose Premier Division status
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Derry City Football Club have today been removed from the League of Ireland Premier Division after the club allegedly admitted to holding second unofficial contracts with its players. At a press conference in the FAI Headquarters in Abbottstown, the awaiting media were told that the FAI "have terminated Derry City's contract to participate in the League of Ireland".
As a result of this removal, Bray Wanderers will now play Drogheda United in United Park on Tuesday in the Premier Division play-off. The Setanta Cup games Derry City are due to play have been postponed.
The Premier Division league table will now adjust to positions 1-9. Their league results will still stand as the league has finished. Under the Participation rules, the club have no right to appeal.
Speaking with a Derry City official after the press conference, he claimed that only one player had been the subject of a second contract, whilst the FAI claimed 20. He also stated that the FAI were "out to get them and had an agenda against Derry City FC". Full interview with the parties involved will be available on the site later.
The full FAI statement is as follows:
The Board of Management of the Football Association of Ireland today (November 7) took the decision to terminate Derry City Football Club’s contract to participate in the League of Ireland.
The decision to terminate is based on the failure of Derry City FC to comply with the terms and conditions of the Participation Agreement, in particular their breach of clauses 8.2, 8.3.1, 8.3.4, 8.3.5 and 8.3.6 of that contract.
The Board of Management of the FAI reached its decision following statements from FAI personnel that Derry City FC had admitted to them at a meeting of November 4 (held at the request of Derry City FC), to holding second unofficial contracts with its players. There is contractual evidence to substantiate this.
Subject to the ongoing cooperation of Derry City Football Club being forthcoming, the Board has agreed that an FAI delegation will, in the coming week, meet with Derry City FC and the various other stakeholders to consider how Derry City Football Club may participate in senior football in the League of Ireland next season, at some level other than in the Premier Division. This of course will be subject to the normal licensing process.
The forthcoming Setanta Sports Cup match on November 10 involving Derry City FC has now been postponed, pending discussions with the Irish Football Association, through the Setanta Sports Cup Committee.
On the basis of today’s decision Drogheda United will now play Bray Wanderers in the Premier Division play-off on Tuesday, November 10.
Derry City in the League of Ireland
Derry City first arrived in the League of Ireland after 13 “wilderness years" following their withdrawal from the Irish League. Derry joined the first division in 1985, were promoted in 1987 and have remained in the Premier Division ever since.
In the 88/89 season Derry were forced to revert to semi-professional status due to financial problems, but that did not stop them wining a treble; the League, the League Cup and the FAI cup under the guidance of Jim McLaughlin. Something no League of Ireland team has done since.
Since their triumph in the 88/89 season Derry have only won the league title once, in the 96/97 season — but have been runners-up on three occasions. They added three more FAI Cups to the trophy cabinet in 1995, 2002 and 2006, and have won an amazing six league Cup trophies.
After finishing second in 2006, Derry entered the preliminary round for the 2006-2007 UEFA Cup. After a fantastic run Derry saw off IFK Göteborg and Gretna to reach the first round where they faced French giants, Paris Saint-Germain. After a 0-0 draw in the first leg at the Brandywell, Derry travelled to Paris but lost 2-0.
Today is a sad day for all associated with Derry City, the League of Ireland and football as a whole in this country.
As a result of this removal, Bray Wanderers will now play Drogheda United in United Park on Tuesday in the Premier Division play-off. The Setanta Cup games Derry City are due to play have been postponed.
The Premier Division league table will now adjust to positions 1-9. Their league results will still stand as the league has finished. Under the Participation rules, the club have no right to appeal.
Speaking with a Derry City official after the press conference, he claimed that only one player had been the subject of a second contract, whilst the FAI claimed 20. He also stated that the FAI were "out to get them and had an agenda against Derry City FC". Full interview with the parties involved will be available on the site later.
The full FAI statement is as follows:
The Board of Management of the Football Association of Ireland today (November 7) took the decision to terminate Derry City Football Club’s contract to participate in the League of Ireland.
The decision to terminate is based on the failure of Derry City FC to comply with the terms and conditions of the Participation Agreement, in particular their breach of clauses 8.2, 8.3.1, 8.3.4, 8.3.5 and 8.3.6 of that contract.
The Board of Management of the FAI reached its decision following statements from FAI personnel that Derry City FC had admitted to them at a meeting of November 4 (held at the request of Derry City FC), to holding second unofficial contracts with its players. There is contractual evidence to substantiate this.
Subject to the ongoing cooperation of Derry City Football Club being forthcoming, the Board has agreed that an FAI delegation will, in the coming week, meet with Derry City FC and the various other stakeholders to consider how Derry City Football Club may participate in senior football in the League of Ireland next season, at some level other than in the Premier Division. This of course will be subject to the normal licensing process.
The forthcoming Setanta Sports Cup match on November 10 involving Derry City FC has now been postponed, pending discussions with the Irish Football Association, through the Setanta Sports Cup Committee.
On the basis of today’s decision Drogheda United will now play Bray Wanderers in the Premier Division play-off on Tuesday, November 10.
Derry City in the League of Ireland
Derry City first arrived in the League of Ireland after 13 “wilderness years" following their withdrawal from the Irish League. Derry joined the first division in 1985, were promoted in 1987 and have remained in the Premier Division ever since.
In the 88/89 season Derry were forced to revert to semi-professional status due to financial problems, but that did not stop them wining a treble; the League, the League Cup and the FAI cup under the guidance of Jim McLaughlin. Something no League of Ireland team has done since.
Since their triumph in the 88/89 season Derry have only won the league title once, in the 96/97 season — but have been runners-up on three occasions. They added three more FAI Cups to the trophy cabinet in 1995, 2002 and 2006, and have won an amazing six league Cup trophies.
After finishing second in 2006, Derry entered the preliminary round for the 2006-2007 UEFA Cup. After a fantastic run Derry saw off IFK Göteborg and Gretna to reach the first round where they faced French giants, Paris Saint-Germain. After a 0-0 draw in the first leg at the Brandywell, Derry travelled to Paris but lost 2-0.
Today is a sad day for all associated with Derry City, the League of Ireland and football as a whole in this country.
About Brendan White
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