Wrexham denied chance to qualify for Europe as FA rejects Welsh League Cup proposals

The Football Association of Wales had launched a plan for Wrexham, Cardiff, Swansea and Newport County to enter the Welsh League Cup - with the winners going on to qualify for Europe.

It was part of the FAW's 'Project Wales' proposals - designed to boost Welsh domestic football and bring more revenue into the game.

It argued that allowing the Welsh based EFL clubs into the competition would bring around £3m a year to domestic football in Wales.

It was backed by the four clubs involved and the majority of the Cymru Premier clubs, who would also be competing in the League Cup.

The plans, described as 'game changing' by the FAW, received approval from UEFA to press ahead - but the FA have rejected the proposals following a meeting on Thursday.

During the meeting, the FA said it had undertaken a thorough consultation with clubs, and the proposals were rejected on a number of grounds.

Other EFL clubs and stakeholders cited competition integrity, fixture congestion and play welfare as three reasons to turn down the plans. They also had concerns on the impact of existing competitions in England.

One of the main sticking points to the proposal was an issue around finances.

According to reports, the FA discussed the financial aspects and how Welsh clubs, with a better chance of reaching Europe than through English cup competitions, would have an unfair advantage when it comes to financial fair play.

The FAW had argued that clubs would not include potential European revenues in their FFP accounting.

The Welsh clubs had agreed to give up their spots in the FA Cup and the League Cup, where they are able to qualify for Europe, in order to make the move to a Welsh cup competition.

However, due to a number of factors the FA turned down the move and released a statement saying clubs playing in the England must all participate on the same basis.

A statement from the FA read: "Following careful consideration, taking into account various factors including equal opportunity for clubs to participate in the same competitions, for the same rewards on an equal basis; concerns raised by stakeholders regarding competition integrity, fixture congestion and player welfare, and the impact on the standing of existing competitions, the FA Board has rejected the request.

"It was noted that it is open to the Welsh clubs to choose whether or not to participate in the English or Welsh system based on their own assessment of the relative merits of participation in each system, but if they choose to participate in the English system they must do so on the same basis as the English clubs which participate in that system."