UEFA set to hand Cardiff Euro lifeline

AFP - 7 April 2008 13:04

Cardiff City´s Welsh Midfielder Joe Ledley celebrates scoring his goal during their FA Cup semi final match against Barnsley at Wembley Stadium, April 6. Cardiff City may be given a wildcard into Europe if they win the FA Cup, UEFA spokesman William Gaillard has revealed.

LONDON (AFP) - Cardiff City may be given a wildcard into Europe if they win the FA Cup, UEFA spokesman William Gaillard revealed on Monday.

Under current Football Association (FA) rules, the Bluebirds would not qualify for the UEFA Cup as Welsh clubs only qualify through their own competitions.

But Cardiff, who face Portsmouth on May 17 after beating Barnsley in the last four on Sunday, may be given a lifeline by European football's governing body.

UEFA president Michel Platini had already pledged to help Cardiff if they were to win the FA Cup and Gaillard confirmed that there is a lot of sympathy for the Welsh side.

"Our president has asked the executive committee to look at the possibility of a wildcard," Gaillard told BBC Sport.

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

"So we will be suggesting this to the executive committee. There is a lot of sympathy for Cardiff and I would expect it to go their way."

Gaillard added that no decision will be made before the final.