The English FA have "not ruled out" Cardiff qualifying for Europe if they win the FA Cup.

Under the current rules, the FA Cup finalists would not go into the Uefa Cup because they are a Welsh club playing in an English league.

But Uefa may give Cardiff a wild card entry if they beat Portsmouth in the final, and the FA have left the door open to a rule change themselves.

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 17th."

Uefa president Michel Platini has stated he believes Cardiff should qualify for Europe if they are FA Cup winners.

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."