There is a blow for Welsh EFL clubs and Welsh League Cup plans with the FA reportedly set to block the move to expand the competition.
The Football Association (FA) has decided to block a proposal that would have allowed Welsh clubs in the English Football League (EFL) to compete in a new Welsh League Cup, thereby dashing their hopes of qualifying for European competitions via this route.
This decision represents a significant setback for clubs like Wrexham, Cardiff City, Swansea City, and Newport County, who were looking at potentially a new pathway to Europe through the revamped competition.
The primary concerns cited by the EFL and potentially influencing the FA’s decision include the integrity of EFL competitions, increased fixture congestion, and the possibility of Welsh sides gaining a commercial advantage that could not be balanced by their participation in the English system.
The move was also seen as potentially unfair, as these clubs would benefit from both the commercial advantages of playing in England and additional benefits from European qualification through a Welsh competition.
FA set to block Welsh League Cup expansion plan in blow to Wrexham’s European ambitions. Full story @guardian_sport https://t.co/oU8jb9UR12
— Matt Hughes (@MattHughesMedia) January 17, 2025
It’s said the Uefa had already granted its approval, confirming that the winners will secure a spot in the qualifying rounds of the Europa Conference League, provided that clubs from the EFL don’t qualify through English competitions.
The ultimate decision is down the English FA, which is currently in discussions with both the EFL and the Premier League regarding this issue, with it to be addressed at the upcoming meeting of the FA’s Professional Game Board next week.
But sources familiar with the situation have indicated to the Guardian that there is a tendency to reject the proposal.
The Professional Game Board, which consists of four representatives from both the Premier League and the EFL, with both also having significant concerns about the proposal put by FAW. Following the discussions next week, the recommendations from the PGB will be presented to the full FA board for approval.
The primary objections is on the potential impact on the integrity of EFL competitions, the increased fixture congestion, and the possibility of Welsh teams obtaining a considerable commercial advantage.
For the EFL, it’s concern that bypassing European qualification through English competitions, which we saw Swansea winning the League Cup back in 2013, potentially diminishing their overall value.
There is also resentment from some clubs at the prospect of Wrexham gaining a further commercial edge by qualifying for the Europa Conference League through victory in the Welsh League Cup, and the way their Hollywood owners, Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, have effectively engaged with the American market.
Wrexham’s participation in the Europa Conference League is a huge advantage for Uefa, due to the popularity of Wrexham in the United States.
“The Welsh clubs either play in English competitions or they don’t,” one source said, as per The Guardian. “The ‘Welcome to Wrexham’ effect has been great for the EFL of course, but the EFL has also been great for Wrexham.
“It seems fundamentally unfair for these clubs to get both the commercial advantages of playing in England, and then the further benefit of qualifying for Europe via a Welsh competition. This proposal looks like they want to have their cake and eat it.”
The Guardian add that the English Football League is understood to have spent the last few days lobbying the FA after the FAW went public with the Welsh League Cup plan on Monday.
In an attempt to allay some of these concerns, the FAW said earlier this week that the four concerned clubs have “agreed to exclude any profit derived from representing Wales in Uefa competitions for financial regulations in the English Football League or the English Premier League”. While this would remove the issue of Welsh clubs gaining an advantage in terms of profit and sustainability rules, the broader financial benefits from playing in Europe would remain.
It’s a delicate issue for the FA, as they have been working with the FAW as the home nations get set to host 2028 European Championship.
Fans reacted to the latest blow for Welsh EFL clubs and Welsh League Cup plans with the FA set to block the move…
@cjob500: Very, very mixed opinions about the proposals. But, regardless, the FA were never going to let this happen, despite the attempts at guilt tripping them. Football is a very different beast to the old Cup Winners’ Cup / Welsh Cup days.
@Jayfuz: Ah yiz boring gits
@john_mcal: Glad that someone’s behaving sensibly!
@GarethH04231834: No surprise, really. FA need to look after their own competition integrity, our needs are irrelevant.
@CCFCMando: Idiotic by the English, plain and simple. This benefits everyone but they refuse to see it.
@irishwill83: As a supporter of a “rival” league in terms of coefficient points/standings, I’m conflicted.
On one hand, it’d be a great competition for welsh football, having exile clubs battle against domestic teams. Also I understand the points raised by English authorities.
@swansea_indy: Good.
@lukewallis82: It’s a shame but couldn’t see them giving us the nod
@TLedge86: Hardly a surprise and I understand every point they’ve raised.
@IanParfitt: Was it not an option for the @FAWales to run this idea past the English FA before making the proposal public? Would have caused a lot less disruption and bad feeling!🤷♂️
@Byronb_86: Good FA saying no to idea for Welsh League Cup its ok now they are in lower division no chance of CL saying give up Euro Quali in English comps but say Wrexham & Hollywood owners get to PL they will end that deal & money to FAW in an instant for a Neflix show on if they got top 4
@MarcusXSteele: Not looking promising for @FAWales plans to monetise a place in Europe at the expense of the domestic leagues and to the detriment of fans. Happy days.
@kevinevans11: @FA its very unlikely the welsh teams are gonna qualify for europe in the league and fa cup so give them a opportunity in the welsh cup and it be good for welsh football aswell
@MattyWebber88: “The main objections raised… centre on the potential knock-on effect for the integrity of EFL competitions, greater fixture congestion and the prospect of Welsh sides gaining a significant commercial advantage.” Good. Let’s get to Europe properly.
@NathSalt1: FA were never going to green light this. Always felt a total non-starter 👇 #WxmAFC
@MattyWebber88: Glad they’re blocking it. The FAW is blind to logic, only thinking of the commercial benefits they could gain. EFL clubs would have had to fit around 11 games into August of any season where they qualified for Europe. Let’s qualify for Europe properly like Swansea did in 2013
@CWells_155074: It was never gonna happen.

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