Club Osasuna Faces UEFA Inquiry and Possible European Ban
The UEFA report was forwarded to the board this Friday. Osasuna says investigators advised that the Navarre club should be barred from its next European edition in response to a match fixing case dating back to 2013, according to the club. The disclosure came as UEFA opened a disciplinary case after reviewing the two inspectors who handled the matter for the Control Ethics and Disciplinary Committee.
Osasuna notes that the case before UEFA centers on serious accusations against former managers linked to match fixing. The club also indicates it may present new claims before the Appeal Committee prior to a final ruling.
UEFA inspectors point to a Supreme Court decision that condemned several former directors of the rojillo organization, a factor Osasuna describes as justification for removing the club from European competition nine years after the events.
Osasuna emphasizes that it does not share UEFA’s assessment. The club intends to pursue its appeal with the Board and is prepared to defend its position legally as long as necessary. The statement underscores that Osasuna believes its rights were unfairly curtailed and that the team earned its place in European competition on the field.
The club argues that a power imbalance influenced UEFA decisions. It accuses UEFA courts of overlooking that Spanish judicial authorities declared the club a victim of covert money movements conducted by some former Osasuna officials. The organization mattered greatly to the club and its governance mechanisms, Osasuna asserts.
With the recent decision, UEFA is seen by Osasuna as aiming to punish the club again through actions against the current managers, who have faced legal actions initiated in court by those same individuals. The club notes that this situation may be one of the rare cases in recent European football where a club sues its former managers, who are now facing potential imprisonment.
Osasuna states that those who accuse the club today may not withstand scrutiny, while a new board and the fan base endure the strain of near collapse. The club declares that it will persist in its fight and in supporting its team as it approaches the next Conference League campaign.
In Osasuna’s view, UEFA’s message appears to undermine the sport and threatens bodies across European football that have chosen to confront corruption head on. The club asserts that UEFA should not pursue goals that harm the sport and its institutions.
Club Condemns Silence Within Spanish Football
Osasuna regrets the damage caused to its image and condemns what it calls the silence of the main Spanish football bodies, including the RFEF. It criticizes persistent leaks to certain media outlets that seek to shape a narrative that weakens the club while benefiting others. The Navarre club vows to defend its rights no matter the outcome, remaining resolute in its mission to reclaim its rightful standing in European football, starting with renewed efforts in the Conference League.
The club reiterates its commitment to the path it has followed for nine years, stressing that Osasuna never gives up. Fans and players, united by the same drive, continue to work toward earning a fair place on the continental stage. Osasuna reiterates its belief in the integrity of its actions and its insistence that the club should be judged on the merits of play and governance rather than external pressures.
Osasuna concludes with a firm statement: the club still believes in its approach and its methods. It rejects any attempt to use the Osasuna name to solve unrelated problems from 2014 and beyond. This stance reflects the club’s longer road to rebuilding and its determination to earn the confidence of supporters and football authorities alike.
Citations: [Source: UEFA documents and club statements] [Source: Spanish football governance records] [Source: Court rulings related to former club directors]