Linz have claimed that the Giants short-term signing Sean Selmser was ineligible for the competition.

Selmser was on target for Belfast in each of last weekend's three games but has since signed for Austrian club VSV Villach.

Linz want the Belfast club's qualification for the Finals in Switzerland during January to be overturned.

However, the Giants have insisted that former Scottish Eagles player Selmser was eligible for last weekend's competition.

Busy weekend

Belfast clinched qualification for the Continental Cup finals with a 5-3 success over Linz on Sunday.

"We refute this protest completely and UK Ice Hockey are giving us full support," Giants spokesman Peter Collins told BBC Sport Online on Friday evening.

"The matter is now with the International Ice Hockey Federation and we are giving them complete co-operation.

"Our conscience is completely clear. We have nothing to be ashamed of," added Collins.

Belfast have a busy weekend with away games in Sheffield and Nottingham on Saturday and Sunday night.