Uefa has said that it will intervene if Cardiff City win the FA Cup but are prevented from competing in the Uefa Cup. Michel Platini, the president of European football’s governing body, has said that it is wrong that a team can win a leading domestic competition and not qualify for European competition in the next season.

Cardiff are not allowed to represent the FA in Europe or to take one of the four European places awarded to the FA of Wales because they do not play in its competitions. “It’s not normal that they participate in one competition and if they win they are out,” Platini said. “If England don’t do something we will because we always respect the result.” Cardiff will play Barnsley, their Coca-Cola Championship rivals, in the second of the FA Cup semi-finals at Wembley on Sunday, April 6. The match will be shown live on Sky Sports, kicking off at 4pm. The first FA Cup semi-final, between West Bromwich Albion and Portsmouth, will be played at 12.15pm on Saturday, April 5 and will be televised live on BBC One.

Cardiff defended themselves in the High Court yesterday against action taken by Langston, the Swiss investment bank, over the repayment of a loan of about £24 million. Langston wants the court to instruct Cardiff to repay the money, plus interest of £8 million, immediately. The hearing is expected to end today, but judgment is likely to be reserved.