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Cardiff, Swansea, Wrexham, Newport in Welsh League Cup entry talk

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Cardiff, Swansea, Wrexham, Newport in Welsh League Cup entry talk


It is also hoped the involvement of the EFL clubs could improve Wales’ standing in Uefa’s association club coefficients, from 50th to “40th or higher”.

Wales’ current ranking of 50 out of 55 means only the top divisions in San Marino, Gibraltar, Andorra, Belarus and North Macedonia are ranked lower in Europe.

One of the primary reasons for Wales’ weak coefficient rating has been the poor performances of its clubs in European competitions.

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Cymru Premier champions The New Saints became the first club from the Welsh pyramid to qualify for the group stage of a major European competition in this season’s Europa Conference League.

That will boost Wales’ coefficient ranking, and the FAW hopes the involvement of Cardiff, Swansea, Wrexham and Newport would provide a further lift and earn more prize money from Uefa.

The fact that the FAW would distribute some of that increased revenue across the game in Wales is one of the reasons why Cymru Premier clubs approve of the introduction of their EFL counterparts to the Welsh League Cup.

Clubs in the Welsh pyramid would also welcome the chance to face Cardiff, Swansea, Wrexham and Newport, an opportunity they have seldom had in recent years.

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As for the EFL clubs themselves, the chance to play in Europe is attractive for many reasons, such as huge financial benefits and the opportunity to land glamorous ties against high-profile foreign clubs.

Cardiff, Swansea, Wrexham and Newport all have a history of playing in European competitions as they used to qualify via the Welsh Cup, and they all have notable victories to their names.

Cardiff beat Real Madrid in the European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1971, Wrexham defeated Porto in the same competition in 1984 and Newport reached a Cup Winners’ Cup quarter-final in 1981, while Swansea won 3-0 in Valencia in a 2013 Europa League match.

Welsh clubs in the EFL have not participated in an FAW competition since the FAW Premier Cup – which did not offer European qualification – was abolished in 2008.

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Cardiff, Swansea and Newport have entered under-21 sides in recent editions of the Nathaniel MG Cup, but the introduction of their first teams – and chance to qualify for Europe – would represent a major development for Welsh football.

According to the Prosiect Cymru report: “Welsh football is in a unique position within European football in that its largest clubs play in the domestic league of another country (England).

“This has historically limited the ability of Welsh domestic clubs to be competitive in Uefa club competitions.

“An innovative solution to address this position has transformational potential for the whole Welsh football ecosystem from grassroots to the professional men’s and women’s game.”

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Watch: Mark Walters in the Footsteps of Andrew Watson on BBC iPlayer

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Watch: Mark Walters in the Footsteps of Andrew Watson on BBC iPlayer



Mark Walters looks back at his time with Rangers FC and discovers Andrew Watson’s story.



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Fuad Sule: Linfield will investigate incident further’ after recial abuse allegation

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Fuad Sule: Linfield will investigate incident further' after recial abuse allegation


Linfield say they “will investigate further” an incident at the end of Friday’s Irish Premiership derby at Windsor Park when “an individual was removed from the ground” after Glentoran’s Fuad Sule alleged that he was racially abused by a spectator.

In a statement on his X account, external, Sule said that he was aware that emotions ran high in matches between the Belfast rivals but would not accept being racially abused.

“I’m a big ambassador of kicking racism not only out of football but out of life in general. It’s embarrassing that it still happens today, a good game with an electric atmosphere has turned sour,” said the Glens midfielder.

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“There’s a lot of good, honest people that I know very well at Linfield with integrity and class but one individual has tarnished the whole Linfield Football Club’s name for me.” he added.

A statement from Linfield read: “Linfield Football Club is aware of an incident which occurred at the end of last night’s match with Glentoran in which an individual was alleged to have racially abused an opposition player.

“An individual was removed from the ground last night and the club will investigate further.

“Linfield Football Club is opposed to all forms of racism and we will treat the matter with the utmost seriousness.”

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A statement from the Northern Ireland Football League said: “We will review the Match Observer’s report from last night’s game and take the appropriate action necessary.

“There is no place for racism within the NI Football League.”

The game ended in a 3-1 victory for Glentoran.



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Morgan Gibbs-White: Nottingham Forest midfielder says being a dad has calmed him down

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Morgan Gibbs-White: Nottingham Forest midfielder says being a dad has calmed him down


Gibbs-White, who joined Forest from Wolves in a deal which could rise to £42.5m in 2022, was speaking to BBC Football Focus last week, shortly after being sent off in the 2-2 draw at Brighton.

Gibbs-White and boss Nuno Espirito Santo have since been charged by the Football Association for acting in an improper manner and allegedly using abusive and insulting language towards match officials.

He conceded he could see why he was sent off but feels he cannot play any other way.

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“If I’m at 70% or 60% going into a game, I can’t play like that,” he said.

“I have to be 150% all the time. I always have to be on it and I like the feeling of having control in a game.

“Sometimes when we’re playing City or someone and having none of the ball I get frustrated, but that’s when the control comes in and to understand what the manager wants from this moment.”

Gibbs-White has been included in the England squad for the Nations League games against Greece and Finland this month.

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He made his senior debut in the 2-0 win in Ireland in September, having won the Under-21 European Championships last summer, and revealed the emotional impact the selection had.

He said: “When I received the call I was in bits, I was crying. As a kid you grow up dreaming of this moment, wanting it for so long and when you finally get it you feel like you’ve achieved something in life.

“Seeing the quality and standard was incredible. You can see why these players are at the top level.”



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Ianis Hagi’s father relieved over Rangers resolution – Scottish gossip

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Ianis Hagi's father relieved over Rangers resolution - Scottish gossip


Gheorghe Hagi says, “I can sleep peacefully now” that his son, Ianis, is set to return to playing for “a huge club”, the Romania great having had heated conversations with the Rangers hierarchy while the 25-year-old midfielder was frozen out of the first team. (Herald – subscription), external

Southampton manager Russell Martin retains the support of sporting director Rasmus Ankersen, but the former Scotland defender is facing scrutiny from Serbian billionaire owner Dragan Solak after a poor start to the Premier League season. (TalkSport), external

Everton manager Sean Dyche has explained his cautious approach to a return to action for Nathan Patterson because of the Scotland right-back’s “unusual” tendon injury that has meant the 22-year-old has not played since April. (The Scotsman), external

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Celtic have the 23rd most valuable squad in the UK with a market value of £104.43m, with Rangers ranking 28th at £67.02m. (Transfermarkt), external

After fireworks and flares before the match against Lyon, Rangers could face the closure of part of their stadium for their next home Europa League game on top of a heavy fine if Uefa follows the precedent set when Servette supporters did likewise against Chelsea. (Glasgow Times), external



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Erik ten Hag: Man Utd players must take responsibility after Porto draw

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Erik ten Hag: Man Utd players must take responsibility after Porto draw


Manager Erik ten Hag insists Manchester United will resolve their defensive issues but says the players must take responsibility following their 3-3 draw at Porto in the Europa League.

READ MORE: ‘We will fight’ – Ten Hag still defiant but is Man Utd boss on brink?



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SPFL distributes £37.9m to clubs, latest accounts show

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SPFL distributes £37.9m to clubs, latest accounts show


The SPFL says it distributed £37.9m to the 42 member clubs in its latest accounting period, an increase of 6%.

The league body’s figures show a similar percentage increase in turnover to a new high of £44.3m.

A new broadcasting deal with Sky and “other domestic and overseas broadcasting agreements” contributed to revenue.

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Additionally, net gate receipts of £2.1m went to last season’s Premier Sports Cup semi-finalists Aberdeen, Hearts, Hibernian and Rangers, who won the tournament.

Celtic won the Premiership, Dundee United secured promotion by finishing top of the Championship while the League 1 and 2 titles went to Falkirk and Stenhousemuir, respectively. The Challenge Cup was won by Airdrieonians.

Celtic won the SWPL title for the first time and Rangers won the SWPL Cup.

“We’re really proud to announce record turnover and fee payments to our member clubs today as we continue to build on the strong income growth and commercial deals in recent years,” said SPFL chief executive Neil Doncaster.

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“Given the challenging market and economic conditions right now, these encouraging results reinforce the huge popularity of Scottish football, as well as the level of interest this generates with our broadcasters and our increasing roster of partners.”

Celtic men and Rangers women also won the Scottish Cup tournaments, which unlike the other major domestic tournaments are organised by the Scottish FA.

For the current season, the SPFL has new sponsorship and broadcasting deals in place.



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