Fortuna Sittard’s hopes of competing in European football next season have been crushed due to a failure to secure a mandatory UEFA licence.
The Dutch Eredivisie club, currently ninth with two games remaining, was in contention for a play-off spot to qualify for the UEFA Conference League. However, the club missed the April 8 deadline to apply for the required licence, rendering them ineligible for European competition.
The club admitted it failed to meet UEFA’s requirements, including the submission of an external auditor’s report. “At that time, the club did not meet all the criteria, ruling out participation in the play-offs for European football,” Fortuna stated in a press release.
This setback marks a missed opportunity for Fortuna, who last played in Europe during the 1998 Intertoto Cup, a now-defunct tournament that provided entry to the UEFA Cup. General Manager Martijn Merks expressed regret, stating, “It is disappointing that we cannot reward a great sporting season.” He emphasized the club’s focus on transparency and its ongoing efforts to prepare for the upcoming Eredivisie season while ensuring long-term sustainability.
Fortuna now shifts its attention to the final matches of the season, aiming to end on a high note despite the administrative oversight that cost them a shot at European glory.