Welsh FA and England FA in minor skirmish over jurisdiction

The Welsh football association (FAW) will keep Cardiff City and Swansea City under its jurisdiction despite a strong push by the English Football Association to claim the two clubs, reports the Western Mail.

The English FA wants to absorb the two clubs to resolve disciplinary matters and for other football governance issues. However, FAW felt that this was a bit of muscle flexing by the English FA and used the UEFA rules to fight for their stance.

As an unnamed FAW member put it, “We’re led to believe this was an example of England trying to flex their muscles, but not getting their way. UEFA rules quite firmly dictate that clubs come under the jurisdiction of the Association where they are domiciled. In the case of Cardiff and Swansea, that is Wales.

“As such, England were told in no uncertain terms the two clubs must remain under our umbrella ... at least for the time being. We can’t have anybody trying to dictate to us. As such, the FAW hierarchy who stood up to them received a round of applause from every single one of us, and rightly so.”

The issue has come up because many clubs in the English system feel that Cardiff and Swansea get an easy ride with the Welsh FA especially in regard to matters of player discipline.

FAW and English FA have now agreed to have a “collaborative dialogue” over the next twelve months to work out the matter of jurisdiction.

Also, if either of the teams is promoted they will have to go with the English FA. The Premier League is introducing new rules stipulating that teams can only play in the competition if they are affiliated to the English FA.

As the FAW member said, “Under those circumstances, and Cardiff are pushing hard for promotion this year, it would be hard for us to stand in their way.”