Western Mail

Let's sort out this Euro problem now
By Paul Abbandonato, Western Mail

15 December 2004

Uefa CupWALES' Big Three of Cardiff City, Swansea City and Wrexham last night told the FAW, "It's time to end the farce and get us back into Europe."

The Football League clubs spelled out their message as the FAW prepare to meet today to discuss the trio's exile from European competition once more.

The new FAW move comes after the English FA formally made a ruling last month stating they would NEVER nominate the Welsh clubs into Europe should any of our trio do well in the Carling Cup, FA Cup or Premiership.

Cardiff believe a way forward simply MUST be found this time - even if it means lobbying at the highest levels of FIFA and UEFA.

The alternatives, the club warn, could be the Bluebirds, Swans and Dragons being forced to leave the Welsh FA and join the English FA instead - or to consider restraint of trade legal action via the Swiss courts.

"No-one wants either of those scenarios, but we have to find a solution to this problem," stressed Cardiff chief executive David Temme.

The Welsh Big Three, as well as Newport, Merthyr and Colwyn Bay, are the only clubs barred from entry to either the Champions League or UEFA Cup.

The English FA officially say they won't put them forward, while the FAW currently stop them playing in the Welsh Cup or putting a team in the Welsh Premier.

Temme said, "It is highly unfair that we are the only clubs in the whole of Europe who have any path to play in Europe blocked.

It is highly unfair that we are the only clubs in the whole of Europe who have any path to play in Europe blocked

David Temme

Cardiff City Chief Executive

"It's time for the FAW to go to UEFA and FIFA and ask, 'What exactly do we need to do to give our clubs the opportunity of playing in Europe again?'

"It is high time somebody asked this very simple question. We refuse to believe there is not a solution to this problem."

He went on, "If we are never going to resolve the issue, we have to ask ourselves, 'What are we going to do?'

"Are we going to annex ourselves from the FAW and join the FA? Are we going to talk about legal action?

"Those things can't be right and no-one wants them. Therefore, what is the solution to the problem? Let's find it.

"Just imagine if Cardiff City were playing in Europe? Some of the games would be so big, we could take them to the Millennium Stadium.

"It would provide a massive boost for Welsh football - and help the national team because the performances of our clubs in Europe help make up the co-efficient points which determines seeding for the World Cup and European Championship."

Temme accepted the whole issue was a complex one, but argued, "To say it is fraught with difficulties and therefore we should leave it alone helps no-one. Let's speak to the people at UEFA, let's explore definitive ways forward.

"It's been said we can't have a team in the Welsh Premier because we play in the Championship.

"Well, other clubs throughout Britain are permitted to have two clubs in different leagues.

"It's also been said we couldn't put out a second side in the Welsh Premier. An interesting argument when you look at the teams Manchester United and Arsenal field in the Carling Cup.

"Not to mention the starting X1 United put out against Fenerbahce in the Champions League last week ... UEFA's very own flagship competition."

He argued, "What about if we went into the Welsh Cup instead and had a play-off at the end of the season with the Welsh Premier champions?

"The winners could go into the Champions League.

"UEFA could say, of course, that you need a side in the Welsh Premier to do that.

"But the Welsh Cup is a national competition anyway. There is a subtle difference here.

"At some point, somebody has got to sort this out. In our view, there is no time like the present."