Sunday Oliseh's former club robbed of European place by clerical error

Fortuna Sittard, the former home of Nigerian football icon Sunday Oliseh, have been denied a chance at European football, not by poor form or fierce competition, but by an unfortunate administrative blunder.

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The Dutch Eredivisie side were on course to enter the playoffs for a Europa Conference League spot, only to find themselves disqualified due to a mistake.

With two games remaining in the Eredivisie season, Fortuna Sittard sit in ninth place, a position that would normally allow them to battle it out in the playoffs for European qualification.

However, the club failed to apply for a UEFA license before the April 8 deadline, rendering them ineligible for continental competition.

According to an official club statement, the missing piece was an external auditor’s report, a requirement under UEFA regulations.

This oversight ruled out any possibility of postseason participation for European qualification. It’s a bitter pill to swallow for the team and its fans, especially given their on-field efforts to earn a shot at the big stage.

General manager Martijn Merks openly expressed his disappointment, acknowledging the club’s failure saying, “At that time, the club did not meet all the requirements.”

Merks, however, reassured fans that preparations are already underway for next season as Fortuna Sittard face another season in the Eredivisie.

The club expects to meet all licensing requirements without any issues going forward, with hopes of repeating the current season’s heroics in the next campaign.

Fortuna Sittard, who had previously featured in the Intertoto Cup and the Cup Winners’ Cup, were revitalised under Sunday Oliseh’s management during the 2017–18 campaign, when he helped guide them toward Eredivisie promotion.