Cardiff City will not be eligible to play in the Uefa Cup next season even if they win the FA Cup. Welsh teams are allowed to play in FA competitions, but they are not permitted to represent England in European competition. The Coca-Cola Championship club forfeited their rights to a place in Europe when they were given permission to play in the FA Cup, even though they represent the Football Association of Wales (FAW).

Peter Ridsdale, the Cardiff chairman, has been careful not to criticise the ruling because he is aware that he will be politely informed by Soho Square that, in that case, his club should enter only FAW competitions. His only argument to Uefa might be that there is no opportunity for Cardiff to play in Europe because they are not allowed to enter the Welsh Cup. “If we win the final and we’re not put forward to the Uefa Cup, I’m sure there’ll be a lot of people with something to say,” Ridsdale said.

Cardiff may hope that the FAW would nominate them as one of their representatives in Europe, but that is unlikely. After all, Cardiff benefited in the reverse situation when, in 1977, they played in the Cup Winners’ Cup, despite Shrewsbury Town beating them in the Welsh Cup final.

The club also face possible administration after legal action taken by Langston, the Swiss investment bank, over the repayment of a loan of about £24 million. Langston said that the deal was struck when Ridsdale took over from Sam Hammam. Although Hammam has regularly acted as Langston’s “intermediary”, he refuses to confirm whether he has a formal connection. The case begins in the High Court tomorrow.

“We believe we will win the case,” Ridsdale said. “However, if it did go against us, the directors would be legally bound to put the club into administration. There would be a £30 million-plus judgment against the club and we would not have any means of paying that back immediately.”