Petition set up to allow clubs to stage friendlies and welcome supporters
Cardiff, Wales, UK. 19th August 2020. UEFA Champions League First qualifying round match between Connah's Quay Nomads and FK Sarajevo, played at Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff.
A petition has been created to prompt the Welsh Government to allow clubs to stage friendlies and permit spectators.
Currently, only Cymru Premier and Welsh Premier Women’s League clubs can play friendlies and are restricted with games behind played behind closed doors.
Clubs below Wales’ top tier are restricted to contact training sessions and haven’t received a start date for their league campaigns.
However an official petition on the Senedd Petitions website, with the hope of persuading those in the Welsh Government to relax their restrictions on non-elite sports.
The driving force behind the petition is Callum Howen, the founder of Welsh football website This is Welsh Football.
The 17-year-old’s explained his rationale in creating the petition, citing a potential cull of clubs should teams not welcome fans in the near future.
“Football in Wales isn’t like other countries, we get relatively small crowds in fairly big grounds.
“Social distancing between fans would be easy, and if measures are put in place there is no reason people can’t be there to support their team.
“Teams themselves are suffering, Rhyl is a very good example. Once one of the biggest clubs in Wales now cease to exist, what was the final hurdle? COVID.
“We are at risk of this happening to hundreds of other clubs in Wales.”
At the time of publication, the petition received more than 600 signatures. The first target of fifty was met with ease meaning the Petitions Committee will discuss it.
Should it achieve 5000 signatures then it will be considered for debate amongst members in the Senedd.
In neighbouring country England, clubs below the sixth tier have been admitting fans after a ‘Let Fans In‘ campaign amongst non-league clubs.
The preliminary round of the FA Cup began on Tuesday, 1 September, with crowds of just under 300 recorded, with capped capacities in some games.
In the Welsh Government’s latest update, First Minister Mark Drakeford revealed three trial events which would have up to 100 people in the audience.
Should the three run successfully then we could see a phased return of fans returning to games in Wales.
The petition can be signed virtually through this link on the Senedd Petitions website.
(Featured Image: Colin Ewart)
