Osasuna granted permission to play in the Europa Conference League by UEFA
Osasuna will play next season in the UEFA Europa Conference League. The Court of Arbitration has accepted the evidence provided by them in its defense, and UEFA has decided to lift its punishment.
Their fans will be happy this week after Los Rojillo emitted a statement confirming that they had been given permission by UEFA to play in the Conference League next season.
Osasuna’s statement
“Club Atlético Osasuna will play the 2023/24 Conference League, after the procedure before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) for the ‘Consent Award’ formula has ended today.”
“In view of the new evidence provided by the club in defense of its participation in the competition, UEFA has concluded that Osasuna was a victim of the events that occurred almost a decade ago and has valued the initiative carried out by the institution to clarify them.”
“Consequently, UEFA considers Osasuna suitable to participate in this edition of the European competition.”
UEFA had initially suspended the club from European competition for a year following match-fixing that occurred in 2013/2014 season.
Osasuna will play in the Conference League after UEFA reverses decision
In the 2013/14 season, Osasuna were the ones that reported the incident to the authorities. But in Spanish justice system, they were declared a victim of the match-fixing, as the club directors were involved in the scandal.
Moreover, Osasuna have not qualified for a UEFA competition since the 2006/07 season. This news will be a major relief for Osasuna and their fans. After the ban, their Sporting Director Braulio Vazquez had said it left him questioning his faith in football.
The club felt that they were being robbed of a reward that they had earned on the pitch. Osasuna finished 7th in La Liga last season, and qualified for the UEFA Conference League.
They will now attend the play-off draw on the 7th of August with the rest of the teams.
