Stadiums, Europe and a whole load of questions

WALES' biggest local authority could find itself on the receiving end of compensation claims totalling hundreds of millions of pounds if it allows changes in Cardiff City FC's plans to redevelop its Ninian Park stadium.

Cardiff County Council confirmed yesterday that it has received six separate applications from the football club to amend its proposals for a retail park next to a new stadium to be built opposite the existing ground.

But the suggested alterations have angered developers behind two other major retail schemes in the city. They fear that a beefed-up Cardiff City project could damage their own developments.

Tomorrow, Land Securities, whose £315m St David's 2 city centre redevelopment scheme is due to be completed by 2008, and Bride Hall, the developer of Cardiff's £700m sports village, are due to meet council officials to discuss their concerns.

A Cardiff County Council spokeswoman confirmed that next week, three of the six amendments proposed by the football club are likely to be discussed by the planning committee. The council is due to disclose on Friday whether officers will be recommending acceptance of the changes.
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WALES' Football League trio of Cardiff City, Swansea City and Wrexham are warning of potential legal action against UEFA as they make a renewed call to play in Europe.

The 'Let us back in' plea from the Big Three will be discussed in top-level talks next week after EVERY Euro avenue open to them was officially slammed shut.

The new move comes after English FA chairman Geoff Thompson wrote to FAW bosses to outline a formal new Soho Square written policy.

The English FA have discussed the Cardiff, Swansea, Wrexham issue in behind-closed-doors meetings in recent weeks.

And Thompson has told the FAW in a letter that the English FA ruled the Welsh trio will NEVER be put forward by them in the event of winning the Premiership, FA Cup or Carling Cup competitions that they play in.
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THE biggest political hot potato in British football will raise its head again next week as a new bid is made to get Cardiff City, Swansea City and Wrexham back into Europe.

The subject will be brought up at top-level FA of Wales talks after official confirmation from the highest level at the English FA that the Welsh Big Three will NEVER be put forward for Europe by them.

The formal English stance is officially documented in a letter sent to the FAW by Soho Square chairman Geoff Thompson.

He and his FA colleagues have looked at the Cardiff, Swansea, Wrexham issue over the past few months after being asked by the FAW to help out on the matter.

But Thompson says the English FA will not put forward Cardiff, Swansea or Wrexham in the event of any of that trio winning one of the competitions they play in.
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