EFL urged to 'kick out' Bristol Rovers' rivals from League One amid controversial £3m plan
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A leading pundit has told the EFL that one of Bristol Rovers’ League One rivals “should be kicked out” of the Football League if they push forward with a controversial plan which could offer them a back door into European competition.
Wrexham, who are currently third in League One and recently drew 1-1 at the Memorial Stadium during David Horseman and Lee Cattermole’s brief spell as interim managers, have joined forces with Cardiff City, Swansea City and Newport County in a proposal which would see them compete in a revamped version of the Welsh League Cup alongside the 12 teams from the Welsh Premier League, with the winner each year earning a place in the Europa Conference League.
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Hide AdThe idea has proven controversial, and former England striker Darren Bent is among those who believe that clubs like Wrexham should not be allowed to compete in both English and Welsh competitions.
What did Darren Bent say?
Speaking on TalkSport, the retired forward, who scored over 100 Premier League goals and earned 13 caps for the Three Lions, said that he didn’t believe that clubs “should be able to back door it into Europe.”
“You’ve made your decision now, you’re in the EFL,” he said. “They should be kicked out of the EFL if they do enter into this cup.”
The Welsh FA and the four EFL clubs have presented their plans to The FA, UEFA and to the UK and Welsh governments, but it is not yet clear whether they well be given the go-ahead. There has been no formal suggestion that clubs like Wrexham could be removed from English competitions as a result of the suggestion, which would also impact cross-city rivals Bristol City, who share a place in the Championship with Cardiff and Swansea.
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Hide AdThe EFL is opposing the motion, however – according to The Athletic (paywalled), the EFL has advised The FA to withhold approval, citing concerns over the impact on the crammed domestic calendar, the integrity of the competition and potential impact on commercial revenues. The proposed tournament would have a £3m prize fund, but under the plans the four EFL sides involved would not receive any of the money.
What does the Welsh FA think?
While Bent may voice the concerns of many supporters and pundits, there is support for the new tournament within Wales for the opportunity to give Welsh teams another route into continental competition.
The Welsh FA’s chief executive, Noel Mooney, has told the media that “this really does change the revenues of Welsh football”, adding that the plan is “about improving Wales and improving Welsh football.”
Responding to critics of the plan, Mooney added: "If people object to this idea, I really think they're holding back Wales. And why would you want to hold back Wales? What would be someone's motivation to hold back Wales as a country trying to stand on its own two feet as a football nation?"
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Hide AdIf the plans were given the green light, the new Welsh League Cup would begin in the 2025/26 season and would consist of four rounds of knock-out matches played over one leg each, with a review of the tournament’s impact earmarked for four years after its first edition.
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