Bala, Barry, Nomads and TNS to represent Wales in Europe
Bala Town, Barry Town United, Connah’s Quay and The New Saints has been elected as Wales’ representatives for European competitions.
A decision to curtail the 2019/20 season was taken by the FAW following the coronavirus pandemic.
UEFA gave European leagues a deadline of May 25 to make a decision on whether their leagues would restart.
The FAW took the decision to crown the Nomads champions as the Cymru Premier for the first time, meaning they will represent Wales in Europe’s top competition.
Bala return to European action after a one-year absence following a play-off final defeat to Cardiff Met in May 2019.
The New Saints enter the Europa League at round one of qualifying for the first time since June 2011.
The Nomads will enter the first round qualifying stage of the Champions League for the first time in their history.
As to who they might play, there are a number of options with some countries abandoning their divisions whilst other have crowned champions on the field.
Cyprus, Gibraltar, Luxembourg, Malta and Scotland have all abandoned their seasons and put forward Omonia, Europa, Fola Esch, Floriana and Celtic as their representatives, respectively.
Astana, Djurgårdens, Dinamo Tbilisi, Dundalk, Dynamo Brest, Klaksvíkar Ítróttarfelag, Knattspyrnufélag Reykjavíkur, Molde, Riga, Sūduva and Sheriff Tiraspol all won their divisions through sporting merit.
As it stands Barry Town United will enter the preliminary rounds of the UEFA Europa League.
Caernarfon Town however are pondering legal action according to BBC Wales Sport after being denied a European spot.
Bala Town and The New Saints will enter in the first round of qualifying.
Possible destinations for Barry include Andorra, the Faroe Islands, Gibraltar, Kosovo, Montenegro, Northern Ireland and San Marino.
Gibraltar, like Wales, have taken the decision to abandon their league with Lincoln Red Imps and St Joseph’s elected as their representatives.
B36 Tórshavn, Havnar Bóltfelag and NSÍ Runavík are the only other confirmed teams in the preliminary round as the 2019 Faroe Islands Premier League has already taken place.
(Featured Image: Brian Jones, Lewis Mitchell and NCM Media)
