Cup runner-ups will not compete in Europe

Dunfermline, which qualified to play for the UEFA Cup after losing to champions Celtic in last season's Scottish Cup final, will be the last Scottish runner-up club in that position since the Scottish FA decided that runner-ups cannot compete in Europe.

Dunfermline lost to Swedish second division club BK Hacken in the second qualifying round. That is the same stage that Gretna, after losing to Hearts in the cup final, was beaten 7-3, on aggregate, by Irish Derry City the previous season.

Two First Division clubs were among Scotland's four representatives for two years in a row, so the SFA changed its policy in a bid to boost performances.

"There is no doubt these UEFA Cup results have damaged our game," said Chief Executive Gordon Smith.

"Going out of Europe so early seriously affects our co-efficient. So from next season, only Scottish Cup winners will be nominated for the UEFA Cup by the SFA.

"If the cup winners have already qualified for Europe through their league position, the extra European place will be awarded to the next-highest team in the SPL.

"It's a sad fact that no-one else apart from Celtic and Rangers are pulling their weight in Europe at the moment."

Source: euFootball.BIZ © Copyright 2006 - All rights reserved.