Uefa have rejected a Swiss civil court ruling that Sion should be reinstated in the Europa League, confirming Celtic will now face Atletico Madrid.
Celtic now certain to face Atletico Madrid in Europa League
Uefa have rejected a Swiss civil court ruling that Sion should be reinstated in the Europa League, confirming Celtic will now face Atletico Madrid.
The club appealed against their exclusion for fielding ineligible players in a play-off against the Bhoys and the SPL side will now take their place in the competition, which starts on Thursday.
Uefa's emergency panel, which contains president Michel Platini and four other members of the executive committe, confirmed their expulsuion would stand after discussing the court verdict.
Incorrect
A statement read: "The 'superprovisional' measures were ordered by the Tribunal Cantonal de Vaud without hearing Uefa and solely based on the arguments of FC Sion.
"The court also thought, incorrectly, that the appeals body could not take its decision before the start of the Europa League group stage on September 15.
"However, the Uefa appeals body met and rendered its decision as announced today, September 13."
The statement added: "Like every other club in Europe, FC Sion had and still has every opportunity to use all possible sports arbitration mechanisms to challenge Uefa's disciplinary bodies' decisions."
Fairness
Sion are still able to take their case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, within 10 days of the receipt of the written explanation for Uefa's latest rulings.
Platini said: "I am a strong believer and deeply attached to the protection of football and fairness of the game.
"I am happy that football disciplinary bodies are sanctioning clubs who are using their influence and wealth to induce players to breach their contracts.
"This is against all rules of sporting fairness. This is ultimately about protecting clubs, the players, and football itself.
"We have clear rules and regulations that all clubs know before they enter our competitions.
"We cannot accept that if one individual club does not get its own way then it goes through any possible system to force its will on the others.
"Two independent disciplinary bodies have ruled on this issue and we must abide by their decisions."
