Cork City's takeover by British billionaire Trevor Hemmings has fallen through.
The club's supporters trust and operating group FORAS voted in favour of the takeover in October following a poll of 600 members.
But the deal is off after the company owned by Hemmings - Grovemoor Ltd - failed to reach an agreement on a lease for Turner's Cross with the Munster FA, which owns the ground.
The club say they may be forced to find a new venue for home fixtures next year, if FORAS fails to negotiate reduced rates with the Munster FA.
A Cork City statement read: "Grovemoor Ltd has informed the Board of Management that due to being unable to agree terms on a lease agreement with the Munster Football Association (MFA), Grovemoor Ltd will not be proceeding with their option to purchase Cork City Football Club at this time.
"Friends of the Rebel Army Society Ltd (FORAS) will now be proceeding with our own plans for 2021 and implementing a budget which will give us a stable and sustainable team for the 2021 football season.
"We can confirm that FORAS has lodged a license application in accordance with the deadlines laid out by the Licensing Department and we remain in constant contact with the FAI with regards to the status of our application.
"We may seek to negotiate reduced rates with the MFA for Turner’s Cross in line with our budget, which if unsuccessful will result in us exploring alternative venues for playing behind-closed-doors for next season."
Preston North End owner Hemmings expressed an interest in purchasing the club in February 2020 after Cork sold sell-on clauses for Preston's former City duo Alan Browne and Sean Maguire.
The financial package agreed at the time allowed the club to to secure a Premier Division licence last season, which ultimately ended in disappointment as Cork finished bottom of the table and were relegated to the second tier.
