A Plaid Cymru MP has called on spectators to be allowed to attend Cymru Premier matches.
Liz Saville-Roberts, Member of Parliament for Dwyfor Meirionnydd, was at Bala’s 5-2 win over Aberystwyth Town.
She was invited to attend the match to see the protocols in place for Cymru Premier matches with games currently being played behind-closed-doors.
Saville-Roberts put praise onto the work the clubs are doing and compared it to her job in the House of Commons.
In a half-time interview with Sgorio, she said: “I was invited by Bala Town to inspect the protocols they have put in place.
“Ironically, as someone who visits Westminster as I do, this weekend – and here – is the first time I’ve had my temperature checked.
“It feels safer here and more organised than it does in Westminster. At the same time.”
Sylwadau Liz Saville-Roberts am y drafodaeth o adael cefnogwyr yn ôl i gemau’r Cymru Premier.@LSRPlaid endorses crowds in the Cymru Premier after @BalaTownFC visit. #JDCymruPremier ⚽🏴 pic.twitter.com/ej0yWVxGwK
— ⚽ Sgorio (@sgorio) October 10, 2020
At some games, fans have found inventive ways to watch fixtures outside Cymru Premier home grounds.
Most recently, Aberystwyth had held a gathering in their clubhouse of the televised fixture but are still unable to welcome supporters to attend games in person.
“I’ve seen people watching the game from outside,” added the 55-year-old.
“We have people watching games in pubs with some rule of 30 there but only a few can come here.
“The messages I hear from doctors is how important it is for people to be outside – even in the rain – and take interest in sports.”
Representatives from Aberystwyth, Barry Town United and Newtown have both spoken publicly of the impacts of playing financial impact of playing behind-closed-doors.
Clubs were given a hope of crowds returning in the third match week of the league however a rise in cases have seen those plans scrapped.
Meanwhile across the border in England, football below the sixth tier are allowed to welcome fans.
The sticking point is that the Cymru Premier is regarded as an ‘elite’ league by those who govern sport in Wales.
“The future of these clubs within the Cymru Premier is at stake. These things are important for the future and important for people’s health now.
“We’re outside, it would make sense to get people back under COVID guidelines and if it helps the future of these clubs – then the better for it.
“We talk about mental health, people need to come together, we can’t live on our screens all the time.
“Yes we need to social distance, but if this is the best we can manage at this time.
“I believe that it is better to be outside with each other rather than living at arm’s length in front of our televisions.”
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