English FA rejects Welsh EFL clubs' European plan

Cardiff and Swansea - as well as Wrexham and Newport - used to qualify for Europe via the Welsh Cup

The Football Association has rejected proposals for Wales' four English Football League clubs to qualify for Europe via a Welsh domestic cup.

Cardiff City, Swansea City, Wrexham and Newport County had been working with the Football Association of Wales on plans to enter a revamped Welsh League Cup, with the winners qualifying for the Europa Conference League.

But after the EFL and some of its other member clubs raised concerns, the FA board ruled against the plans following a meeting on Thursday.

The FA said it "undertook a thorough consultation with stakeholders" and rejected the proposals following "concerns raised by stakeholders regarding competition integrity, fixture congestion and player welfare, and the impact on the standing of existing competitions".

In response, the FAW said it was "disappointed" with the decision, having previously said the new competition and its benefits would have been "game-changing" for Welsh football at all levels.

As part of proposals entitled Prosiect Cymru (Project Wales) - first revealed by BBC Sport Wales last September - Cardiff, Swansea, Wrexham and Newport were pitching to compete in a revamped cup against the 12 teams from Wales' top flight, the Cymru Premier.

Those clubs were broadly supportive of the idea, while Uefa had given its approval.

The FAW said the new Welsh League Cup would have generated £3m a season, which would have been invested into grassroots infrastructure projects, women's football and the domestic game in general.

But the EFL, while not commenting publicly before Thursday's decision, had expressed concerns about the plans over a number of reasons.

Fixture congestion was one because Championship games, for example, often take place in midweek at the same time as European games.

Money was a more significant consideration. With tight regulations over profit and sustainability rules, it was argued Wales' clubs – with their greater chance of reaching Europe – would have an unfair advantage.

The FAW had said clubs would not include the revenues in their PSR accounting, but they would still benefit from extra ticket sales and possible bigger commercial and sponsorship deals – or even being more attractive to potential signings.

A statement from the FA read: "As part of the request, the Welsh clubs would forfeit their existing right to qualify for Uefa club competitions through the English system whilst they remained members of the EFL.

"The Welsh clubs would then seek to qualify for Uefa competition via the English system should they be promoted to the Premier League.

"As a result of the request, the FA undertook a thorough consultation with stakeholders and invited submissions from the Welsh clubs.

"Following careful consideration, taking into account various factors including equal opportunity for clubs to participate in the same competitions, for the same rewards on an equal basis; concerns raised by stakeholders regarding competition integrity, fixture congestion and player welfare, and the impact on the standing of existing competitions, the FA Board has rejected the request.

"It was noted that it is open to the Welsh clubs to choose whether or not to participate in the English or Welsh system based on their own assessment of the relative merits of participation in each system, but if they choose to participate in the English system they must do so on the same basis as the English clubs which participate in that system."

In response, the FAW said: "The FAW is disappointed that the proposal was rejected as it would have benefited all levels of football throughout Wales with funding worth an annual £3million.

"The revenue model would have been distributed throughout the Cymru Premier, Adran Premier [women's top flight] and grassroots facilities across the country.

"The FAW will continue to focus on raising standards across the game in Wales and implementing its ambitious strategy to improve the Cymru Premier both on and off the pitch through an exciting competition format, strengthening the league administration, professionalising club administration, building brand awareness, engaging communities and enhancing on-pitch quality."