Cardiff City fans are still rejoicing following the Welsh club’s 1-0 FA Cup semifinal win over Barnsley on Sunday. The Bluebirds have become the third Welsh club in competition history to reach the FA Cup final, and the first to do so in 81 years. Cardiff City last reached the final in 1925, when it lost to Sheffield United. It will now face Portsmouth, the sixth place club in the English Premier League that is appearing in the FA Cup final for the first time since 1939.
Nowadays, FA Cup winners are given the chance to compete on the European stage in the UEFA Cup, but the BBC points out that even if Cardiff City beats Portsmouth on May 17, FA rules would prohibit the club from entering the European competition, as Welsh clubs are forced to qualify for Europe through their own competitions.
However, UEFA President Michel Platini wants to put an end to that-at least, in this instance. “Our president has asked the executive committee to look at the possibility of a wild card,” Uefa spokesman William Gaillard told BBC Sport. Last month, Platini pledged to help the Welsh club. “From our point of view it would be sad if they win the FA Cup and cannot compete in Europe,” he said. An FA spokesman confirmed that the organization was reviewing the rule. “The question of eligibility for Welsh clubs has not arisen for many years so it is only now appropriate for us to look at the issue afresh,” the spokesman said. “At this time, there has been no definitive decision taken as far as this year’s FA Cup is concerned.