Meir info Simmi:
Under UEFA rules Cardiff and Swansea cannot qualify for Europe through English competitions. They are not English teams, even though they are now part of the English FA.
As such, the FA will not put them forward as a choice in case or because UEFA don't allow it.
Platini however have said that if Cardiff to win the FA Cup (in 2008) that they would try and let Cardiff enter even if the FA say no.
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Cardiff could cite several examples to support their case including:
Derry City - Based in Northern Ireland but since 1985 have been playing in the Republic of Ireland's competitions and are regarded as a Republic of Ireland club. When they qualify for Europe, they play as a Republic of Ireland team.
AS Monaco - Based in Monaco, where they are the only side, but play in the French League.
Berwick Rangers - Based in England but play in the Scottish League and would be accepted as a Scottish club if they qualified for Europe.
When the FAW formed the League of Wales in 1992, Cardiff, Swansea City and Wrexham all decided not to join it choosing to remain playing in the English Football League.
As a result, Uefa decided the clubs would no longer be allowed to compete in the Welsh FA Cup and therefore would not be allowed to qualify for Europe that way.
The FAW agreed with that decision and Uefa take the view that because they play in English competitions, they are English clubs.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/c/cardiff_city/7292287.stmhttp://www.walesonline.co.uk/footballnation/football-news/2011/12/02/cardiff-city-and-swansea-city-both-in-contention-for-europe-91466-29880090/
