Euro route blocked for Welsh clubs

UEFA have rejected a bid to allow Welsh 'exile' clubs such as Swansea and Cardiff the chance to qualify for Europe via the Welsh Cup.

The Football Association of Wales had asked UEFA to change their rules and allow the exile clubs into the Europa League via the Welsh Cup if they opted out of the FA Cup but the request was turned down at a meeting of the governing body's executive committee in Istanbul.

FAW chief executive Jonathan Ford told Press Association Sport he was "bitterly disappointed" by the decision.

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