Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Wrexham, Ryan Reynolds, Rob McElhenney, Football
Nasir Jabbar
Wrexham have been dealt a huge blow that could derail Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney's ambitious plans for the club.
Wrexham have enjoyed great success under the ownership of Reynolds and McElhenney, having secured back-to-back promotions in as many seasons.
And they are in the thick of the action in League One this season as they aim for a third consecutive promotion.
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The Hollywood duo have massive plans for Wrexham as they harbour ambitions of playing in the Premier League one day.
Not to mention Europe as Wrexham have been exploring the idea of participating in the Welsh League Cup, which could fast track their entry into European football.
Wrexham director Shaun Harvey confirmed the backing of the club's hierarchy, saying: "We are interested because we have got an obligation to give the club the best chance of success."
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Manager Phil Parkinson added: "To have that opportunity to get into Europe again for the club would be amazing. Hopefully that comes to fruition."
However, the Football Association (FA) is set to BLOCK a proposal to allow English Football League's Welsh clubs from competing in a new Welsh League Cup next season.
That's according to The Guardian, who claim the EFL is understood to have raised objections to a request from the FA of Wales for Wrexham, Cardiff City, Swansea City and Newport County to take part in an expanded League Cup.
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Per the report, UEFA has given its approval and confirmed that the winners would be granted a place in the qualifying rounds of the Europa Conference League.
The final decision rests with the FA as they are set to consult with both the EFL and the Premier League over the matter.
The issue will be discussed at a meeting of the FA's Professional Game Board next week, but it has been stated that the proposal will be rejected.
Some of the objections raised during preliminary discussion are understood to be the possibility of Wrexham gaining a further commercial advantage by qualifying for the Europa Conference League via winning the Welsh League Cup.
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Several clubs are already resentful at the manner of Reynolds and McElhenney tapping into the American market.
Having Wrexham playing European football would benefit UEFA given the size of their fanbase in the United States.
One source said: "The Welsh clubs either play in English competitions or they don't. The 'Welcome to Wrexham' effect has been great for the EFL of course, but the EFL has also been great for Wrexham.
"It seems fundamentally unfair for these clubs to get both the commercial advantages of playing in England, and then the further benefit of qualifying for Europe via a Welsh competition.
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"This proposal looks like they want to have their cake and eat it."