UEFA studies the 'Osasuna case' and leaves its participation in the Conference League in doubt
UEFA is studying Osasuna's registration for next season in the Conference League due to its firm conviction for the fixing of a match in 2014.
The Supreme Court confirmed last January in the fundamental terms the sentence by which several former directors of the rojillo club were found guilty of various crimes, including fixing a match at the end of the 2013-2014 season.
And the statutes of the European football confederation, UEFA, prohibit the participation of any club involved in activities aimed at organizing or influencing the outcome of matches..
The organization chaired by Aleksander Ceferin has addressed Osasuna by burofax this Wednesday to inform him that it is studying the matter, as confirmed to RTVE by sources from the Navarrese entity.
“Injured” Party in the Case
At the last minute, the club itself has reported the opening of a disciplinary file by UEFA as a result of the so-called Osasuna case, where “paradoxically” the sports entity was exempted from criminal liability. In a statement, the Pamplona entity has extracted that part of the sentence and added that “in any case” it will be “available to UEFA to provide it with whatever information it deems appropriate about a process in which the entity, far from being sentenced, it has been a private accusation”.
It also recalls that the convicts ceased their duties in 2014 and were discharged as partners of the entity in 2015.
“Club Atlético Osasuna trusts that the procedure will be resolved in a favorable manner for its interests and that both its athletes and fans can enjoy the Conference League fairly with sporting merits,” the note concludes.
Osasuna finished the League in seventh position after their victory in the last matchday last Sunday, which theoretically gives them the right to participate in the Conference League, the third continental competition.
It was the culmination of a spectacular season for Jagoba Arrasate's team and it was once again celebrated in Pamplona just a few weeks after finishing runner-up in the Copa del Rey.
Osasuna has not played in Europe for 16 years. The competition will start August.