# Loss of Euro spot will be ‘significant setback’ – Lawlor

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/loss-of-euro-spot-will-be-significant-setback-lawlor/
- Published: 2026-10-23T14:35:37+00:00
- Updated: 2026-10-23T15:41:40+00:00
- Original publisher: BBC Sport (publisher lean: Centre)
- Original article: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/articles/ckvgd1q40gyeo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss
- Topics: Business, Companies, Football, Sport

## Key points

- Northern Ireland has fallen to 51st in Uefa’s rankings.
- The Irish Premiership could lose a European place in 2028-29.
- NIFL’s chief says clubs need to rethink how they compete.

## Summary

Northern Ireland’s Irish Premiership is at risk of losing one of its four European places after slipping to 51st in Uefa’s association rankings. NIFL chief executive Gerard Lawlor called the prospect a significant setback, saying European football brings clubs opportunities and financial investment.

A 1-1 draw between Georgia’s Iberia 1999 and Sweden’s Mjallby lifted Georgia above Northern Ireland in the rankings; the final position and access arrangements are still subject to Uefa confirmation. If the change stands, the league would have three European places in 2028-29. This season, Glentoran, Linfield and Coleraine exited at the first hurdle, while Larne lost to Lincoln Red Imps after holding a two-goal aggregate lead. Lawlor urged clubs to reconsider areas including the season calendar, investment and player development; a calendar change requires support from 75% of NIFL’s 38 member clubs.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.