Quote:
Originally Posted by Damien
I don't think many people care if Cardiff and Swansea play in the Premier League. I remember years ago there was talk of allowing Rangers and Celtic into the Pyramid as well. I think those teams probably now wish they explored the idea with a lot more rigour at the time.
It is technically the English Premier League and if the other members of the United Kingdom wish to operate independently of each other, with separate federations, then you would assume they would also exist in different league structures as well. Wales indeed has this but these two teams are exempt? I don't understand the history of it. However given their size it makes perfect sense for them to play in the English football system and I expect most English football fans feel the same. I also would have wanted the bigger Scottish teams here as well. It strengthens the league to have a wider range of teams.
There is no real attempt to expel Swansea or Cardiff from the league. Speaking as someone from England I would say the rivalry is more focused on Scotland than Wales.
|
There has never been an actual attempt to expel them however as it's not something that would have affected you directly you wouldn't have been aware of the hostility and xenophobia aimed at Welsh team supporters. I remember when Swansea won promotion 4 years ago I tweeted about it and had a load of "keep the EPL English" abuse in return. Plus people refer to us as "junior members" of the UK.