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Sam Hammam has this week held meetings in Switzerland with Uefa to put forward a case
for the return of European football for the Welsh clubs that play in the English football
leagues. Sam was joined by City vice Chairman Steve Borley, Football
Association of Wales secretary general David Collins, FAW president Des Shanklin. Director
of professional football, Lars Christa Olssen, represented UEFA. In a unique situation Uefa met with Sam, previously Uefa only deal
with the footballing authorities of each country, not individual club chairman.
Uefa listened to the case put forward by Sam and the matter
is now in their hands and will be discussed by their executive committe. There is no time
limit on when they will reply.
Sam's idea is to buy out / take over a league of Wales club,
earlier reported as Cwmbran Town, and then back them to win the Welsh League and then
progress into the Champions League, as the club would be owned by Cardiff City players
could then play in Europe for the Cardiff / Cwmbran team.
Report from the media.
UEFA described yesterday's meeting with Cardiff City owner Sam Hammam
regarding the return of the three Welsh league clubs to European
competition as 'positive and fruitful.'
Hammam, Football Association of Wales president Des Shanklin
and secretary-general David Collins met Uefa officials in Geneva to
discuss Hammam's plan to merge Cardiff with a League of Wales club, so
the Bluebirds can return to European football.
Uefa spokesman Mike Lee said last night, "It was a constructive
meeting with useful dialogue. We listened very carefully to what the
party from Wales had to say.
"But we don't make decisions after a single discussion. Cardiff,
Swansea and Wrexham aren't in Europe because they're playing in the
English league.
"Clubs qualify for the European cups on the back of their national
competitions. The Welsh have their competitions. That's the basis of
our current policy.
"We're not closing down options. It's the rule for every European
country."
Hammam believes it is wrong that Cardiff, Swansea and Wrexham cannot
qualify for Europe even if they won the FA Cup or the Premiership
because the Football Association may not nominate them.
The Lebanese tycoon wants to merge with a League of Wales club -
possibly Cwmbran Town - go full-time and use Cardiff players for
European matches.
Hammam says there is nothing in Uefa or Football League rules to
prevent any of the English-based clubs joining the League of Wales.
"The Welsh representatives put forward their ideas and possible
suggestions. We will need time to think about them. It's clear that
further dialogue will be needed," said Lee. |
