(Reuters) -Dutch top-flight club Fortuna Sittard's push for a place in next season's Europa Conference League has hit an obstacle no tactical masterclass could overcome -- missing paperwork.
With two rounds left in the Eredevisie, Fortuna Sittard are ninth in the standings, a position that would earn them a berth in a playoff for a spot in the Conference League.
However, the Sittard-Geleen-based outfit do not have a UEFA license after failing to apply before the April 8 deadline and are ineligible to participate in European competition next season.
"At that time, the club did not meet all the requirements, including the submission of an external auditor's report in accordance with UEFA rules," the club said in a statement.
"This ruled out participation in the play-offs for European football in advance."
General manager Martijn Merks expressed his disappointment at the situation, but stressed that it was important for the club to be transparent.
"We are currently busy preparing for the new league season and in the meantime continuing the future-proofing of the club," Merks added.
"We expect to meet the licence requirements in the new season without any problems."
Fortuna Sittard have qualified for European football on two previous occasions, playing in the Intertoto Cup and the Cup Winners' Cup.
(Reporting by Aadi Nair in BengaluruEditing by Christian Radnedge)
