By Gareth James

The Football Association of Wales have expressed their “disappointment” at the decision of the English FA to crush plans that Welsh clubs could find a route into Europe through a new Welsh cup competition.

Hopes of Welsh Football League clubs to get into Europe were dashed, after the FA blocked attempts to allow clubs playing in the EFL to participate in the Welsh League Cup.

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 Welsh clubs – Wrexham, Cardiff City, Swansea City and Newport County – to participate.

FA has rejected the request from the FAW for Cardiff, Swansea, Newport and Wrexham to compete in a new Welsh League Cup.

The winner would have qualified for the Europa Conference League. pic.twitter.com/wYWUWuez7F

— Second Tier podcast (@secondtierpod) January 24, 2025

However, the English FA board rejected the proposal, fearing it would provide the Welsh clubs with advantages their English rivals would not have access to.

The FA said in a statement they will now look at different ideas to try and strengthen the Cymru Premier.

“The Football Association of Wales acknowledges the decision of the English Football Association Board concerning the Prosiect Cymru proposal for a revamped Welsh League Cup,” it read.

“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 JD Cymru Premier, Genero Adran Premier 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 JD 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.”

A statement from the FA had earlier 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.

“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.”

Right decision for the integrity of football in both Wales & England. Bigger message to the 4 Welsh clubs in the EFL is that they are at the mercy of the English FA, and cannot “game” their Welsh location with impunity. They can always join the FAW setup https://t.co/dQHytFz76d

— Hywel Davies (@HywelCymru) January 24, 2025

The move would potentially have given Wrexham and the other England-based clubs an additional source of revenue and exposure, and in effect a financial advantage over their EFL rivals.

Wrexham were the last Welsh side playing in the EFL to play in Europe via success in a Welsh competition in 1995-96, having won the previous season’s Welsh Cup.

Since then, Swansea have competed in continental competition after winning the 2013 English League Cup.

A spokesperson for the EFL said: “The EFL notes and supports the decision of the English Football Association board to reject an application from the Welsh clubs competing in the EFL to participate in the FAW League Cup.

“The league thanks the FA for their careful consideration of this matter and will continue to work with all 72 clubs, across our three divisions, to enable their long-term development and success as part of the EFL collective.”