The bleak coefficient situation as Wales set to lose fourth European spot
Connah's Quay Nomads 0-1 Dinamo Tbilisi © Will Cheshire
Welsh clubs involvement in European competitions is over for another year.
There were wins for Bala Town and The New Saints in the first qualifying round but their defeats in the second qualifying round were followed by losses for Barry Town United and Connah’s Quay.
TNS’s defeat on penalties counted as a draw in the eyes of the coefficient but was only a slight boost in Wales’
The results in Europe this time round have seen Wales take a huge blow in their coefficient rankings.
There had been hope that Wales would remain in 50th but FK Budućnost Podgorica’s 1-0 win over Kazakh side Astana strengthened Montenegro’s position with Wales unable to better their position this evening.
With all results considered, Wales are to drop to below 50th and that will result in a loss of a European spot.
The change will come in to effect in the 2022/23 season, meaning next summer will be the last time Wales have four teams competing for the foreseeable future.
The loss of a European spot could have a detrimental effect on the league with one club now set to lose a windfall of just under £200,000.
At the moment, European spots are given to those who win the league, those who finish second in the Cymru Premier, as well as teams who win the Europa League play-offs, as well as the Welsh Cup.
With spots reserved usually for teams who win their domestic Cups, it is likely to see a change in the format to the league.
However depending on whether the Champions also win the Welsh Cup, it may be awarded to a team based on their league position.
Fortunately for Wales, the league look unlikely to fall even further below 51st.
If a further drop was to happen the 2021/21 Cymru Premier champion would have to enter a preliminary round for the 2022/23 UEFA Champions League.
Next season, Welsh clubs will avoid the Europa League and instead enter UEFA’s newly formed competition, the UEFA Europa Conference League.
No club from Wales will enter the preliminary round and instead there will potential matches against sides from; Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Estonia, Faroe Islands, Finland, Hungary, Iceland, Latvia, Lichenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Northern Ireland, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Republic of Ireland and San Marino.
1 thought on “The bleak coefficient situation as Wales set to lose fourth European spot”