LONDON (AFP) - Cardiff cannot presently qualify for Europe if they win the FA Cup but that could all change after the Football Association announced they would look again at their rulebook.

As things stand Cardiff, who face fellow Championship side Barnsley in a Wembley semi-final next month, would not qualify for the UEFA Cup if they won the FA Cup because Welsh clubs are only eligible to qualify through their own competitions.

UEFA president Michel Platini has promised to intervene to help Cardiff should they continue a season of Cup shocks by lifting the trophy, and the FA are now reviewing their own rule.

"In light of Cardiff City's success in reaching the FA Cup semi-finals, the Football Association is considering its position on European qualification for the winners of the FA Cup," an FA spokesman said Thursday.

"Historically, the understanding of the FA has been that Welsh clubs were ineligible for the UEFA Cup should they have won the FA Cup.

"The question of eligibility for Welsh clubs has not arisen for many years so it is only now appropriate for us to look at the issue afresh.

"At this time, there has been no definitive decision taken as far as this year's FA Cup is concerned.

"The FA has contacted UEFA and the Football Association of Wales to ascertain their views. We are aware of the comments expressed by UEFA president Michel Platini this week."

Cardiff became the first and so far only non-English Cup winners when they beat Arsenal in 1927.

This season's other Wembley semi-final sees Portsmouth, the only Premier League side left in the last four, up against West Brom.

Portsmouth haven't been to Wembley since they won the FA Cup back in 1939 while the Baggies will be looking to emulate the achievement of their 1968 Cup-winning predecessors.