Soccer: Cardiff gets UEFA nod

Cardiff City's hopes of playing in the European soccer competition next season have improved after a meeting of an influential Football Association subcommittee.

Under FA rules, the Welsh club would not qualify for the UEFA Cup even if they beat Portsmouth in the FA Cup final next month as Welsh clubs can qualify only through their own competitions.

However, a source said the FA's professional game board had voted to approve their entry into European competition with their recommendation expected to be approved by the FA's executive board next week.