Prosiect Cymru: Why is English FA voting on plans to change Welsh football?
2025-01-23
Category: sports

English football's governing body will meet on Thursday â with a Welsh football matter high on its agenda.The Football Association (FA) board has been tasked with having the final say on plans to allow Wales' EFL clubs enter a new Welsh cup competition.The proposals â dubbed "game-changing" by the Football Association of Wales (FAW) â could see Cardiff City, Swansea City, Wrexham and Newport County given the chance to qualify for Europe.But why is a Welsh football proposal being ruled on by the English FA? And what exactly are the consequences?
What exactly is 'Prosiect Cymru'?
Essentially it is a plan for a new cup competition that would see Wales' four EFL clubs compete alongside the 12 teams from Wales' Cymru Premier top flight. Slated to kick off next season, the winners would qualify for the Europa Conference League.
Who is behind it?
The FAW is the name at the top of the proposals.However, it was also driven by Swansea and â more latterly â Wrexham.  Cardiff and Newport have also signed up, though Newport have stressed they would consult with supporters. The FAW has also claimed it has the backing of European football's governing body Uefa and the Cymru Premier clubs.
Why do they want this?
Being blunt, it is about money. The FAW says the new cup â which would replace the existing Welsh League Cup â would generate Â£3m a season, with the aim to invest that into grassroots infrastructure projects, women's football and the domestic game in general.But there is also the longer-term hope that the EFL clubs would perform better in Europe than Cymru Premier clubs have managed in recent years â with the notable exception of The New Saints this season.Better results improves the coefficient â the country's ranking â which helps earn more money from Uefa for the association to hand out.For the EFL clubs, there is the chance to play in Europe â and the financial and commercial benefits that come from it.
Where does the money come from?
European prize money is well documented, with TNS receiving around Â£5m for reaching the group stage of the Europa Conference League this season.Bigger attendances and new sponsorships will also attract clubs, not least Wrexham who may be eyeing a new European market in which to tell their Hollywood story.As for the Â£3m for the new competition, details have not been made public but the FAW says a report by financial experts Deloitte generated the figure.
Why is the FA involved if it is a Welsh competition?
Because it involves clubs who have long been playing in the English system having been essentially invited more than a century ago. Assurances had already been given that the four Welsh clubs would continue playing in the EFL but â for that to happen â the FA needs to rule and England's governing associaition has decided that it needs a full board meeting to have the final say.Read More: Why do some Welsh clubs play football in England?
Would the Welsh clubs still play in the EFL Cup and the FA Cup?
Yes, just as they would continue playing in the EFL pyramid and they would also still be entered into the FA Cup and Carabao Cup. However, they would sacrifice their chance to qualify for Europe via these competitions.
What has the EFL said?
Nothing publicly, but it is understood it has concerns - including those raised by rivals clubs â and have already fed those back to the FA.
How does it affect other EFL clubs?
Fixture congestion has been mentioned given Championship games, for example, often take place in midweek at the same time as European games.But it is again down to money. With tight regulations over profit and sustainability rules (PSR), it is being argued Wales' clubs â with their greater chance of reaching Europe â would have an unfair advantage.The FAW has said clubs would not include the revenues in their PSR accounting, but they would still benefit from extra ticket sales and possible bigger commercial and sponsorship deals â or even being more attractive to potential signings.
What about the Premier League?
Its position is not clear, but it has been suggested that Welsh clubs could pull out of 'Prosiect Cymru' if they were promoted to the Premier League in the future. The FAW has already said it would have a break clause after four years.
What happens if the FA say no?
It is likely to be back to the drawing board for the FAW's bosses, although it is unlikely they would give up on the idea completely. While Uefa says it would have no issue with the plans, it is not thought it would try to intervene. In the meantime, the FAW could try and leverage a greater slice of funding from the Football Foundation pot for infrastructure projects and grassroots facilities. In its publicity for the proposals, the FAW said that the Cymru Football Foundation has received Â£17m from sources such as the Premier League and UK Government since 2022, compared to Â£327m received by England's Football Foundation. 
Have Wales' EFL clubs qualified for Europe before?
Yes, but the majority of times that was when they entered into the Welsh Cup and qualified for the Cup Winners' Cup. Uefa put a stop to that in 1995. When Swansea reached the Europa League in 2013 for winning the League Cup, they were technically representing England.
Anything else to be aware of?
While the majority of Cymru Premier clubs have backed the plans â which could cost a domestic side a chance to play in Europe - two have said they want to see more details before giving their full support.And Wales' only side in the English non-league system, Merthyr, were not included in plans, although they have been the subject of a separate attempt to persuade them to join the Cymru Premier.