The FA’s decision could hinder Welsh clubs’ chances of European competition
Cardiff: So, it looks like the Football Association is about to throw a wrench in the works for Welsh football. They’re reportedly planning to block a new proposal that would let Welsh teams qualify for European competitions through a revamped Welsh League Cup.
This plan, called Project Cymru, was supposed to bring together the four Welsh teams in the EFL and the 12 teams from the Cymru Premier into a 16-team competition. The idea was that the winner would snag a spot in the UEFA Conference League qualifying round, which could pump around £3 million into Welsh football.
Both the Football Association of Wales and UEFA had given the thumbs up to this plan. But there was a catch: Welsh teams wouldn’t be able to qualify through English competitions anymore. This is a big deal since Swansea City did just that when they won the League Cup in 2023.
Now, the final say rests with the Football Association, and reports suggest they might be ready to shut this down. It seems like the main pushback is coming from the EFL and English clubs, and they’re set to discuss it at a meeting next week.
There’s a growing sense that the proposals might get rejected. One of the big concerns is how this could mess with the integrity of EFL competitions. Plus, there’s worry about fixture congestion and the potential for Welsh teams to gain an unfair commercial edge.
