Cardiff 'earn European approval'

[Old red eyes]

 

Cardiff City look set to play in Europe next season if they win the FA Cup, BBC Sport Wales understands.

 

The Football Association's professional game board has approved their entry into European competition next season.

 

Five Premier League and Football League delegates on the professional game board also sit on that executive body.

 

Meanwhile, the club have also confirmed that they will not press for the Welsh national anthem to be played at Wembley before kick-off on 17 May.

 

On European entry, the main FA board and Uefa will have the final say next week and Uefa has already discussed the possibility of offering them a wildcard.

 

Under current FA rules, the Bluebirds would not qualify for the Uefa Cup as Welsh clubs only qualify through their own competitions.

 

But Uefa spokesman William Gaillard told BBC Sport: "Our president (Michel Platini) has asked the executive committee to look at the possibility of a wildcard.

 

"From our point of view it would be sad if they win the FA Cup and cannot compete in Europe."

 

The issue of the national anthem grabbed the headlines when Welsh Sports Minister Rhodri Glyn Thomas said he wanted the FA to allow Land of My Fathers to be played alongside God Save The Queen.

 

But Cardiff chairman Peter Ridsdale said they were "proud and privileged to be there at Wembley" and that to "ask for special privileges would be inappropriate".

 

He said City would "follow the protocol of the occasion, as teams do at every cup final".

 

"We will not be making any representations to the FA. Anything they deem appropriate at the FA Cup final is under their jurisdiction."

[Guest Raisbeck]

thats the mockers on them then.

[Sion]

good, Everton have no chance of UEFA if they finish 6th now - unless they interotototo it.

[Old red eyes]

good, Everton have no chance of UEFA if they finish 6th now - unless they interotototo it.

 

I believe that the BS haven't entered the Intertoto, probably thought they were to big a club now to bother with it.

[growler]

If portsmouth win though, and finish 5th, then BS will still get in. We need Cardiff to win the FACUP and portsmouth to finish 5th.

[New York Red]

Cardiff will dominate in Europe.

[AE]

So who gets the "country" points - Wales or England????

[Guest Anders Honoré]

why do they even play in an english league, btw?

[Hassony]

If portsmouth win though, and finish 5th, then BS will still get in. We need Cardiff to win the FACUP and portsmouth to finish 5th.

No, Cardiff will get the nod to go into europe as they are the losing finalist

[Andy @ Allerton]

If Cardiff win it - then should take the UEFA cup place.