Blow for Cardiff City, Swansea, Wrexham and Newport as FA set to block route to Europe
The Football Association is reportedly set to block proposals that would allow Welsh sides not to qualify for European competition via a revamped Welsh League Cup.
The plans, known as Project Cymru, would see the EFL's four Welsh teams compete in a revamped 16-team competition alongside the 12 Cymru Premier sides.
The winner of the competition would then be handed a place in the qualifying round of the UEFA Conference League, with those pushing for the move claiming it would inject as much as £3million into the Welsh game.
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The Football Association of Wales (FAW) and UEFA had already given the green light to the plans, with the latter's approval coming on the proviso that Welsh sides wouldn't be able to qualify through English competitions, which is exactly what Swansea City did when they won the League Cup in 2023. Sign up to our daily Cardiff City newsletter here.
The final decision on the changes now lies with the Football Association and, according to a report from The Guardian, they could now be ready to put the buffers on the plans.
It's understood opposition to the plans has largely come from within the EFL and English member clubs, although the matter is still set to be discussed at a meeting of the FA’s Professional Game Board next week.
Nevertheless, there's a growing feeling the proposals will now be rejected.
One of the main objections to the proposals is the effect it may have on the integrity of EFL competitions, while fixture congestion and the prospect of Welsh sides gaining a greater commercial advantage are also believed to be key considerations.
