Welsh football remains on hiatus after latest Welsh Government briefing

Welsh domestic football continues to be suspended after the Welsh Government’s latest Coronavirus briefing.

Competitive football in football was brought to a halt after its elite status was revoked in mid December, leaving clubs without kicking a ball in anger for more than two months.

The FAW were hopeful for a March 5 restart for the Cymru Premier and the Welsh Premier Women’s League, due to the improving situation of the pandemic in Wales, with the transmission rate as low as September, when both leagues began.

And there was reason for optimism when in the Welsh Government’s latest three-week review, first minister Mark Drakeford said: “Sport Wales will now make arrangements for more of our talented athletes to be able to resume training and playing.” 

However a report from Cymru North outfit Conwy Borough said that it is understood that there was ‘limited scope’ for Sport Wales to reinstate ‘elite’ status for Cymru Leagues and WPWL clubs.

A number of Cymru Premier clubs have since played friendlies against other teams in the division, as well as English opposition, alongside the resumption of first-team training.

Should the alert level in Wales be lowered from four to three then football would be permitted, albeit behind-closed-doors, as has been the case this season.

The next review will take place on Friday, March 13, seven days before the Cymru North and South’s proposed start date.

An extension to the suspension of football leaves second tier clubs having to compete a 15-game season in eight weeks. 

Leagues below the Cymru Leagues have been cancelled, meanwhile a revised format has been made for the JD Welsh Cup.

In Women’s football, only the Welsh Premier Women’s League will be played. The FAW Women’s Cup also has a revised format with only nine teams eligible to compete for the trophy this season.

(Featured Image: Lewis Mitchell)