Ryan Reynolds' Wrexham are eyeing a new European route – and it's causing controversy
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Wrexham, along with three other Welsh EFL clubs, could benefit from a new pathway to qualify for European football. The Football Association of Wales (FAW) detailed on Monday how the ambitious League One team, owned by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, could participate in a revamped Welsh League Cup. Alongside Cardiff City, Swansea City, and Newport County, the Red Dragons would compete with the 12 JD Cymru Premier teams to win the tournament.
The victor would then progress to the qualifying rounds of a UEFA competition, believed to be the Conference League. The FAW fully supports the plans, dubbed Project Cymru, which it claims could generate an additional £3 million per season for Welsh football and boost Wales' co-efficient for European competitions.
However, the proposals have sparked controversy, with Wrexham's previous owners voicing concerns last week that it could threaten the club's future in the EFL. As the plans reach a critical phase, Mirror Football explores what they would mean in practice and why approval is far from certain.
Swansea were one of the initial driving forces behind the concept, first unveiled last autumn, reports Wales Online. The Championship side commissioned an independent report by Deloitte, emphasising the "transformational" impact it would have on the Welsh game.
Wrexham, Cardiff and Swansea were all quick to join the discussions. Newport, however, needed a bit more persuasion, according to the BBC, due to their previous High Court battle against the FAW in 1995 to remain in the English pyramid, but they eventually warmed up to the idea.
