FAW and clubs braced for opposition to Europe plan

It is 30 years since an EFL club represented Wales in a European competition

The Football Association of Wales and the country's four English Football League clubs are bracing themselves for further opposition to their plans to introduce European qualification through a revamped Welsh League Cup.

Under proposals entitled Prosiect Cymru (Project Wales), Cardiff City, Swansea City, Wrexham and Newport County would join 12 clubs from the Cymru Premier – Wales' top flight – in the new-look competition with the winners qualifying for Europa Conference League.

The final decision will be made by the Football Association board, who are understood to have been made aware of concerns by the EFL and some of its English member clubs over a number of issues relating to the proposals.

They are believed to include the impact of European prize money amid tight profit and sustainability rules that rival clubs fear would give the Welsh quartet an unfair advantage.

A decision could come as early as next week, when the FA board are set to meet, but neither the FA nor the EFL have commented on the plans.

A senior source at the FAW told BBC Sport Wales that they have been made aware of the EFL's concerns and expect further resistance to Prosiect Cymru.

Even if their plans are rejected by the FA, the FAW and Wales' four EFL clubs have indicated they will not give up on the venture.

The FAW announced details for the proposed new competition on Monday, stressing that it would have no impact on the status of Wales' clubs in the English pyramid, which dates back more than a century.

It also confirmed the four clubs would sacrifice their ability to qualify for Europe via English competitions, as well as foregoing any profits generated by European qualification through the revamped Welsh League Cup.

The FAW is keen for this new competition to become a reality as it believes the introduction of the four EFL clubs would be worth at least £3m a season, which would be invested in grassroots and women's football in Wales.

It is also hoped Cardiff, Swansea, Wrexham and Newport could improve Wales' Uefa coefficient rating with their performances in Europe.

Uefa, the Welsh and UK Governments and the 12 Cymru Premier clubs have been consulted. Although not all Welsh top-flight clubs are in agreement on the proposal, many support the idea in principle.