Cymru Premier likely to be without fourth European spot for another year
Connahs Quay manager Andy Morrison is interviewed at full time. Connahs Quay v FC Prishtina in the UEFA Europa Conference League 2nd qualifying round at Park Avenue on the 29th July 2021. Credit: Lewis Mitchell
Cymru Premier clubs have been dealt a blow after it looks increasingly likely that Wales will go another year without a fourth European spot.
Estonia has leapfrogged Wales in the coefficient rankings after Flora Tallinn defeated Shamrock Rovers 5-2 on aggregate to qualify for the group stages, joining them are Lincoln Red Imps of Gibraltar, who beat Riga in extra time.
The Cymru Premier remains above the Gibraltar Premier Division by 0.083 points and the only hope of regaining the spot now is that Lincoln Red Imps lose all six of their group stage matches.
The Welsh top flight is currently predicted to be 50th out of 55th in UEFA’s rankings, one above the cut off of three European teams.
Any positive results for the Gibraltan champions would spell disaster for Wales however as it would make for an uphill battle to overtake them.
Wales’ top division is only ranked higher than Gibraltar, Iceland, Montenegro, Andorra, and San Marino.
Fortunately, they are not ranked in the bottom four, meaning the national champions will not enter the preliminary round of the UEFA Champions League.
Welsh football bosses have already made changes to the prize structure of the league which has had a mixed reception.
Instead of qualifying for the Conference League qualifiers, the team which wins the play-offs will win a place in the SPFL Trust Trophy.
Clubs can still qualify for Europe however their routes are to win the league, finishing second, or win the Welsh Cup.
Competing in Europe has a minimum prize of £214,000 with more money depending on how far you progress in qualifying, meanwhile, the Scottish Challenge Cup is a one-legged competition against clubs outside of the Scottish Premiership.
TNS have pocketed a reported £729,340 for reaching the third round whilst Connah’s Quay picked up £695,182 for their second-round exit.
