Bye, bye rounds one and two . . . if Bradford City win (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Bye, bye rounds one and two . . . if Bradford City win the Capital One Cup

8:10am Thursday 24th January 2013 in Sport Exclusive By Simon Parker, Bradford City Reporter

Buy this photo » Bradford City's goal hero James Hanson celebrates victory at Villa Park with substitute Alan Connell

City will get a bye to the last 32 next season if they win the Capital One Cup and qualify for Europe.

As with all League Two sides, the Bantams began this amazing campaign in the first round.

But the Football League last night confirmed that, should they lift the trophy on February 24, Phil Parkinson’s side will be exempt until round three next time – because of their involvement in the Europa League.

All European qualifiers enter the competition later and City would be treated no differently, despite being from the basement division.

A league spokesman said: “Any team involved in European competition starts in round three. “It would probably be necessary anyway because in the week of the first-round matches, Bradford would be involved with qualifiers in Europe.”

But City must beat Swansea to win the cup to be eligible. Under UEFA rules, where a country has a second domestic cup competition, only the winners qualify.

The extra spot in the Europa competition would be delegated to the team with the next highest finish in the Premier League.

City would have to apply for an emergency UEFA licence.

But it is not thought to be a problem after Valley Parade successfully passed an inspection as a potential World Cup training camp.