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Drogheda United Co‑Chair Refuses to Quit After Board Deems Role Untenable

The club cites regulatory neutrality concerns over her public criticism of football’s governing bodies.

Overview

  • Joanna Byrne says directors told her this week that her position was no longer tenable following her call for Ireland to boycott Nations League games against Israel.
  • Byrne, a Sinn Féin TD and co‑chair of Drogheda United, states she will not resign from the voluntary role.
  • Drogheda United’s statement says the concerns are not about anyone’s political or moral views but about public criticism of UEFA and the FAI and obligations under FIFA/UEFA neutrality rules.
  • Primary sponsor Sullivan & Lambe, which holds the stadium naming rights, publicly backed Byrne and is reviewing its sponsorship.
  • The club is controlled by US‑based Trivela Group, whose executives sit on the five‑member board, and Byrne says her stance aligns with Drogheda delegates’ November vote supporting a motion to seek an Israeli ban from UEFA competitions.