UEFA said Monday that it has examined how it could reinstate FC Sion into the Europa League, but noted that other clubs would only accept such a move if ordered by world sports' top court CAS.
FC Sion were thrown out of the tournament on September 2 after being found guilty of fielding ineligible players, with Scottish club Celtic handed their place in the group stages despite losing the play-offs 3-1 on aggregate.
However, a Swiss regional court has found in Sion's favour in its appeals against the UEFA's decision and ordered that the club be reinstated into the league.
On Monday, UEFA said it has looked at several possibilities on how it could include Sion, but pointed out that "all these scenarios have one thing in common, and that is a strong impact on the other clubs in the competition."
"UEFA therefore underlines the fact that the other clubs may accept these possibilities only after a decision made by the Court Arbitration for Sport, as CAS is the only authority they have all accepted as competent to rule on sporting matters in the UEFA Europa League," it added.
Under one scenario, UEFA suggested that all previous games in Group 1 of the league be annulled and that a new set of games be played by five teams, including the Celtic tie.
Other options integrate Sion directly into the round of 32.
However, UEFA stressed that as its scenarios did not propose any matches before November 24, there is "a strong possibility of obtaining a decision based on the merits of the case in CAS."
"It is clear therefore that should CAS find in favour of FC Sion, based solely on the merits of the case of course, UEFA has carried out its duty by examining all options to allow for the full reintegration of the club into the UEFA Europa League, and with full respect for the rules of the competition," it added.
Source: AFP
