[Sport] St Mirren: Scottish Cup semi-finalists do not qualify for licence to compete in Europe

[#Drennn.]

St Mirren face the prospect of missing out on European football after they were refused the necessary licence to compete in Uefa competitions.

The Paisley club would qualify for the final Europa League play-off round if they were to go on and win the Scottish Cup.

Jim Goodwin's side meet St Johnstone on Sunday for a place in the final.

Premiership rivals Livingston, Hamilton Academical and Ross County also fail to fulfil the required criteria.

Livingston face European football exclusion
Each season the Scottish FA publishes licensing awards, with St Mirren receiving an overall 'gold' rating, while other top flight sides classified 'silver' have been granted the Uefa licence.

While the reasons for the refusal have not been divulged, the ruling can be contested.

Uefa introduced a mandatory club licensing system in 2004 to tackle issues such as financial transparency and instability, inadequate stadia, overdue payments and lack of youth investment.

Livingston last played in Europe 18 years ago and would qualify for the new Conference League if they finish fifth and Hibernian win the cup.

St Mirren have been absent from European competition for 34 years after their 1987 Scottish Cup victory.

Losers from the Europa League play-offs drop into the group phase of the inaugural Conference League.