“The UEFA appeals body has rejected the appeal lodged by FC Sion ... confirming the Swiss club had fielded ineligible players in both matches,” European soccer’s governing body said in a statement.
“An appeal against this decision can be lodged to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) within 10 days of receipt of the written grounds.”
Celtic, beaten 3-1 on aggregate by Sion in last month’s playoff tie, are now confirmed in Group I alongside Atletico Madrid, Udinese and Stade Rennes.
Atletico host Celtic in their opening group match on Thursday.
Earlier on Tuesday, Sion said they had won a Swiss court order re-admitting them to the tournament.
However, the statutes of UEFA and world soccer’s governing body FIFA ban clubs and national federations from taking football matters to civil courts.
“The court ordered UEFA to admit Sion as a participant in the Europa League,” the club said on their website (www.fcsion-live.ch).
TRANSFER BAN
Sion added the court ordered that six players they signed this summer must be considered by UEFA as eligible, despite FIFA saying the club were subject to a transfer ban at the time.
“The regional tribunal in the canton of Vaud also ordered UEFA to consider Stefan Glarner, Billy Ketkeophomphone, Mario Mutsch, Pascal Feindouno, Jose Goncalves and Gabri to be recognized as Sion players and to admit them to the Europa League,” said the Swiss club.
European football’s governing body said it would make a statement on the court ruling later.
“UEFA received today a court decision from the Tribunal Cantonal de Vaud and will issue a statement in this respect at a later stage,” it said.
The FIFA ban was imposed after Sion were found guilty of inducing an Egyptian player to join them while he was still under contract to another club.
Swiss Cup winners Sion were initially banned from fielding the players in the Swiss League which then reversed the decision after the players took their case to a civil court.
