28 December 2004
The big three would look to be entered into the UEFA Cup |
DENIS SMITH believes the Welsh FA
are wrong to block a possible route into European football for Wrexham.
Smith reacted after news that Wrexham, along with Cardiff and Swansea, have been
told they cannot represent Wales in European competition because they still play
in England.
The FA of Wales have met to discus the big three's Euro exile but then there was
a further twist to the plot.
TNS, who look like they will land the Welsh Premier League title, have been
given the go-ahead to build a new stadium to play their home matches - in
England.
Their ground is in Oswestry and the FAW will put them forward for Europe, but
following the meeting they say Wrexham, Cardiff and Swansea will continue to be
overlooked.
Their argument is that TNS play in the Welsh Premier League whereas the big
three are still competing in the Football League.
POLITICS
Regardless of the TNS situation, Smith says the big three should get the chance
to get back into Europe for the good of Welsh football.
Smith said: "There is a lot of politics about where teams are playing and this
goes back before my time here, when there was the issue with the likes of Colwyn
Bay.
"It's disappointing, but the Welsh FA make their decisions for whatever reasons
they have.
"But I think they are wrong to not let Wrexham, Cardiff and Swansea play in
Europe.
"If they want to promote Welsh football in the best light it should be the best
teams in Wales representing the country.
"That is good for Welsh football and to see the big three in Europe would be
great.
"They say go and play in the Welsh Premier League but that is not going to
happen."
There is no route in European football through the FAW Premier Cup in which
holders Wrexham travel to Haverfordwest in the quarter-finals next month.