Spas Delev in action against Cliftonville at Windsor Park

Cliftonville have failed in their bid to get reinstated into the Europa League after a player eligibility row involving CSKA Sofia's Spas Delev.

Uefa investigated alleged paperwork discrepancies in the striker's loan move from FC Pirin to Sofia.

Delev played in the 2-1 win over the Irish League side on 5 August, three days after his club contract expired.

But the Reds didn't register a protest within the stipulated 24 hours and Uefa has confirmed that CSKA will progress.

Sofia, who play Welsh champions TNS in a Europa Cup play-off first-leg clash on Thursday, defeated the north Belfast side 5-1 on aggregate in the third round qualifier with Delev playing in the second leg at Windsor Park.

The Bulgarian U21 forward joined Sofia from FC Pirin in a one-year loan deal in 2009, with the possibility of making his move permanent.

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