Coleman tries to allay Prosiect Cymru concerns

Swansea City chairman Andy Coleman has been a key driver of the Prosiect Cymru proposals

Swansea City chairman Andy Coleman has attempted to play down concerns Wales' four English Football League (EFL) clubs will gain a financial advantage over rivals from a new route into Europe.

Amid potential opposition, he claimed English football chiefs now have a "tap-in" to be "good neighbours" and help the game in Wales.

Plans for Swansea, Cardiff City, Wrexham and Newport County to qualify for European football via a revamped Welsh League Cup hinge on approval from the Football Association (FA).

The final say rests with the FA board who are understood to have been made aware of concerns from the EFL over a number of issues.

They are said 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.

Neither the EFL nor the FA have commented on the plans as the process continues but, asked about opposition, Coleman said: "The important thing to note is that this was structured very intentionally in a way not to give any of the Welsh-based EFL clubs a financial advantage.

"This is meant to be a level playing field for all as we do this, with just good intentions about improving the system in Wales.

"We've given the FA a board a tap-in. This is a really good opportunity to show that football can take care of football and make common sense decisions for ourselves that strengthen the game."

The theory behind the plans is that Wales' EFL clubs could help boost the FAW's coefficient through performances in Europe, increasing the level of funding the FAW receives from Uefa. The FAW says the idea could boost finances by £3m.

The proposals have been welcomed by the reigning Cymru Premier champions The New Saints, who said they "look forward to these exciting plans coming to fruition".

TNS, who this season became the first Welsh League side to play in the group stages of a Uefa competition, said they "support, in principle" the proposed reforms, adding they believe they will increase brand recognition, investment and revenues.

But it has emerged not all Cymru Premier clubs are fully signed up to the proposals that would see Welsh top-flight clubs potentially lose out on a chance to qualify for Europe.

Both Barry Town and Caernarfon Town released statements saying they wanted to see more detail and speak to fans before giving their support.

In addition, the Football Supporters Association have fed back concerns to the FA as they consider their decision.

But Coleman added: "This is about Wales helping Wales. The decision is coming up and we have Welsh government support, we've got Uefa support, and quite frankly we've got really good neighbours.

"We've been great partners with them for quite some time and I think when they really delve into the details here and take their time to get into it, they will see that this is their opportunity to be a really good neighbour to us.

"There's no removal of funds from the English system, there's nothing that impacts the English system, this is simply about getting Wales the funding and the infrastructure improvements they need to strengthen the game here."

Monday saw the FAW outline more details on the plans that reiterated there would be no impact to the status of the Welsh clubs in the English system, which dates back more than a century.

It also spelt out that the four clubs would sacrifice the chance to qualify for Europe via English competitions.

However, there is a break clause included after four years and some sources have suggested that a club would pull out of the agreement if they won promotion to the Premier League.

The FAW said on Monday they would look to begin the 16-club competition next season, while a new third cup competition for Wales could be introduced including those second-tier clubs that would lose their places in the revamp.