Warrenpoint Town have lost their appeal against being rejected Championship and Promotion licences.
The initial hearing was adjourned last week and was completed on Wednesday night.
The Irish FA confirmed the decision on Friday.
Read more: Professional Footballers’ Association NI - what it is and what it will do
Warrenpoint finished second in the Championship last season and were set to play a Premiership promotion/relegation play-off with Dungannon Swifts.
That fixture was postponed after the Irish FA's Licensing Committee rejected the Milltown club's application for a Championship and Promotion licence, stating they were "not satisfied" Warrenpoint had "met all of the required standards for the reward of a Championship Club Licence".
Warrenpoint Town later revealed their application was rejected because of a tax bill which has now been paid.
It leaves Warrenpoint Town facing an uncertain future, with the club now facing the prospect of kicking off next season in the junior football ranks.
Referring to the issues that arose in Warrenpoint's licence application, a summary of the appeal hearing read: "The Committee were not satisfied that Warrenpoint Town Football Club had met the criteria at F.07 of the IFA Championship Licence Manual and Promotion Licence Manual forAward of Licences for Season 2023/24, Version 1.6. This is a requirement that the licence applicant must prove that, as of the 31st March 2023, it had no overdue payables to social / tax authorities (HMRC).
"The Licence Committee were not satisfied that the Applicant had proved this criterion and, as it was a graded “A” requirement, the Licensing Committee refused to grant the licences sought."
It is understood that Warrenpoint Town are considering their next options.
Earlier this month the club said in a statement: “Warrenpoint has worked tirelessly as a club – from top to bottom – to make itself a regional soccer success story and to encourage participation in the game throughout the South Down region across all ages.
"To be on the verge of a possible return to the Irish Premier division is something we see as a fitting reward for our supporters, officials, players and the wider Warrenpoint community.
"We cannot overstate how strongly we feel about this refusal, and we will not be taking this initial decision of the IFA lying down.”
The ruling means Dungannon Swifts could now potentially play Annagh United in the Premiership play-off.
Provisional dates for those games - Tuesday, May 30 and Saturday, June 3 - were announced in by the NI Football League earlier this month.
A summary of the Irish FA appeals hearing can be read HERE
READ NEXT:
- Kenny Bruce reacts to Larne's Champions League blow as he apologises to fans
Portadown rebuild commences as more than a full team of players exits the club
Crusaders bolster their squad with four new additions set to arrive
Gerard Lyttle lays out stall as speculation mounts over Irish League return
Sign up to our free sports newsletter to get the latest headlines to your inbox.
