Wrexham see European hopes squashed as Welsh clubs barred from new competition

Wrexham see European hopes squashed as Welsh clubs barred from new competition
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Wrexham see European hopes squashed as Welsh clubs barred from new competition
Author: Jamie Gardner
Published: Jan, 24 2025 11:46

The four Welsh clubs in the EFL won’t be allowed to compete in the Welsh League Cup and earn a Conference League spot. Wrexham's hopes of competing in Europe have been dashed after the Football Association (FA) on Friday blocked attempts to allow Welsh clubs playing in the English leagues to participate in the Welsh League Cup.

 [Wrexham fans look unlikely to see their side in Europe any time soon]
Image Credit: The Independent [Wrexham fans look unlikely to see their side in Europe any time soon]

The new-look Welsh League Cup has been granted a Conference League qualification spot by Uefa and the Football Association of Wales (FAW) had wanted the EFL's Wales clubs – Wrexham, Cardiff City, Swansea City and Newport County – to participate. However, the English FA board has rejected the proposal.

A statement from the FA read: "The FA board has considered a request made by four Welsh clubs to take part in a restructured version of the FAW League Cup which would provide an opportunity to qualify for UEFA competition. "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.

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