Elite football in Wales suspended after new strain of COVID

Domestic football in Wales is to come to a halt after talks between the FAW and the Welsh Government today.

The Cymru Premier and the Welsh Premier Women’s League had been playing since September, but now play will come to a pause, as a result of a joint-decision between the governing body, the government and the National Sport Group.

Second tier clubs were due to start to the season in January but those plans will now be impacted as a result of a new strain of COVID which is prevalent across Wales.

In a statement released by the FAW, they revealed that elite status has currently been withdrawn from their four leagues: “The decision of the NSG is to rescind the elite status designation provided to the following leagues:

• JD Cymru Premier
• Orchard Welsh Premier Women’s League
• JD Cymru North
• JD Cymru South

“As a result, all fixtures and activities involving non-fully professional clubs are to be
postponed until further notice.

“The JD Cymru Leagues will make a separate announcement as to whether any fixtures involving fully professional clubs can take place during this period.

“The NSG includes representation from Sport Wales, Welsh Sports Association, Welsh
Government and Commonwealth Games Wales to consider the elite status designation.

“The decision by the NSG has been made in the context of the rapidly developing public
health crisis here in Wales.

“The NSG has confirmed that the elite status designation will be automatically re-instated
under lower Alert Levels.”

Earlier today, it was revealed that more there are more than 2,300 Covid patients in hospitals, according to Wales’ first minister. 

(Featured Image: Adam Evans)