The Football Association is refusing to rule out entering Cardiff City into next season’s Uefa Cup if they win the FA Cup.

It had been thought that Cardiff, as a Welsh club, would be unable to represent England in Europe under current FA rules. However, Uefa is considering giving the FA Cup finalists a wild card and the FA have also hinted they could be prepared to bend their own rules.

An FA spokesman said: "Following yesterday's FA Cup semi-final, the FA has been discussing the issue of Cardiff City entering the Uefa Cup next season should they win the FA Cup. We will also continue to discuss this with the FA of Wales and Uefa.

"At this stage we have not ruled out Cardiff City being entered into Europe via the FA Cup should they win it. However, further conversations need to take place but we would expect to have final clarification on this before the end of the month - well before the final takes place on May 17."

Michel Platini, the Uefa president, believes Cardiff should qualify for Europe if they win this season's FA Cup.

William Gaillard, Uefa's communications director, said: "We feel from a sporting point of view Cardiff would deserve to play in the Uefa Cup. What will be submitted to the executive committee if Cardiff win the final is the possibility of giving them a wild card."

The FA appear to have softened their stance from a month ago when Cardiff were told they would not be allowed to play in Europe even if they managed to win the cup for the first time since 1927.

The Welsh club beat Barnsley 1-0 in the semi-final on Sunday, with Joe Ledley scoring a ninth-minute winner.