Irish lose Olympic equestrian appeal

Ireland has lost an appeal to have its equestrian jumping team cleared to compete in the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport says its three-member panel issued an urgent ruling Monday, dismissing the Irish appeal against results at the 2015 European Championships.

Ireland was edged for an Olympic qualifying place by Spain last August after a course worker ran across the line of one of its top riders, Cian O'Connor.

O'Connor's horse, Good Luck, knocked down the next fence but they continued and completed the round.

Ireland's protest on the day at Aachen, Germany, was dismissed by the event jury and later an FEI appeal tribunal.

CAS says its panel will publish reasons for the verdict within weeks.