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Welsh big three may play in Europe
Welsh - 03 October, 2006
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Welsh football chiefs last night vowed to step up the fight to allow "big three" back into European competition.
FAW secretary general David Collins will approach UEFA to discuss whether Wales' 'Big Three' club sides should be allowed to play in the Champions League or UEFA Cup.
The move comes after FIFA President Sepp Blatter last week gave his full backing to any renewed campaign to see the three Football League sides readmitted to the European game.
"I have a lot of sympathy for these clubs who should be able to play in the European competitions. "The situation at the moment is something that is not fair," Blatter said.
Collins last night welcomed Blatter's wholehearted support for what has become a long-running and uniquely complicated argument. "We have got to discuss the matter with UEFA and find out whether there will be anything profitable in it for us in light of what Sepp Blatter said," Collins said. "The FAW would certainly be willing to discuss the issue with the three clubs as well if they want to get together."
Cardiff, Swansea and Wrexham have been exiled from Europe since 1995.
The current UEFA rules state that only teams playing within the boundaries of their national association are eligible to represent them, therefore only sides playing within the Welsh Premier League are currently eligible to represent Wales.
As all three clubs play in the English Football League, all three are effectively banned from playing on the European stage. Calls for them to be readmitted to the Welsh Cup as a potential means of European qualification have also been denied.
"We are very keen on the idea and that meeting is something that has to take place soon," said Wrexham chief executive Anthony Fairclough. "It is important for Wales and this club that the issue can be resolved."
FAW secretary general David Collins will approach UEFA to discuss whether Wales' 'Big Three' club sides should be allowed to play in the Champions League or UEFA Cup.
The move comes after FIFA President Sepp Blatter last week gave his full backing to any renewed campaign to see the three Football League sides readmitted to the European game.
"I have a lot of sympathy for these clubs who should be able to play in the European competitions. "The situation at the moment is something that is not fair," Blatter said.
Collins last night welcomed Blatter's wholehearted support for what has become a long-running and uniquely complicated argument. "We have got to discuss the matter with UEFA and find out whether there will be anything profitable in it for us in light of what Sepp Blatter said," Collins said. "The FAW would certainly be willing to discuss the issue with the three clubs as well if they want to get together."
Cardiff, Swansea and Wrexham have been exiled from Europe since 1995.
The current UEFA rules state that only teams playing within the boundaries of their national association are eligible to represent them, therefore only sides playing within the Welsh Premier League are currently eligible to represent Wales.
As all three clubs play in the English Football League, all three are effectively banned from playing on the European stage. Calls for them to be readmitted to the Welsh Cup as a potential means of European qualification have also been denied.
"We are very keen on the idea and that meeting is something that has to take place soon," said Wrexham chief executive Anthony Fairclough. "It is important for Wales and this club that the issue can be resolved."
Source: euFootball.BIZ © Copyright 2006 -
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