Welsh Cup and other competitions to not be concluded

The Football Association of Wales have announced that their 2019/20 Cup competitions will not be resumed.

In a remote meeting today, the National Cup Board say the JD Welsh Cup, FAW Women’s Cup, FAW Amateur Trophy, FAW Youth Cup, FAW U16 Girls’ Cup and the FAW Regions’ Cup will not be concluded.

The last time a Welsh Cup final wasn’t played was during the pause of football due to World War Two.

The rationale behind the governing body’s decision was due to the current Welsh Government Regulations and sporting integrity. 

Clubs have already made alterations to the squad following the opening of the registration period, meaning that squads are different to the past season.

In a statement by the FAW, it read: “The Cup Board expressed their sympathies to the remaining clubs in communications to them today (30 July) and explained that the outstanding prize money will be distributed equally in the respective competitions. 

“A key consideration by the Cup Board was sporting integrity, in that squads are now changing in preparation for the 2020/21 season and will, therefore, be different to those competing in the competitions during the 2019/20 season.  

“The current Welsh Government Regulations continue to prevent clubs from participating competitively and as the pandemic situation continues, the available dates to reschedule the competition has also become problematic as the FAW plans for a return to football with the 2020/21 season. 

The Welsh Cup – the third oldest competition in world football – was at the semi-final stage when the season was halted.

Caernarfon Town, Cardiff Metropolitan, Prestatyn Town and The New Saints were scheduled to play each other in April.

The Welsh Cup was already impacted when a Cup winner could not be nominated and as a result, any incentive of European football would be withdrawn.

A deadline of August was set for nominations for European competitions and instead, fourth-placed Barry Town United were awarded a spot in the 2020/21 Europa League.

In the FAW Women’s Cup, the competition was at the same stage as its male counterparts.

Abergavenny, Cardiff City, Connah’s Quay and Swansea City were due to play at neutral grounds.

Other countries in the United Kingdom have opted for a different approach in their main cup competitions. 

In Northern Ireland, the competition resumed this week and the final between Ballymena United and Glentoran will be played at Windsor Park tomorrow in front of a limited amount of spectators. 

The FA Cup will be concluded on Saturday, 1 August when Arsenal play Chelsea at Wembley Stadium.

Scotland have opted to conclude their Cup competition in December. 

Their semi-finals will be played on 31 October and 1 November with the final taking place on 20 December. 

(Featured Image: Brian Jones)