Plans to start Cymru North and South season abandoned
Linesman's flag Briton Ferry Llansawel v Cardiff Met at Old Road in the Welsh Premier Women's League on the 14th March 2021. Credit: Lewis Mitchell/YCPD
The 2020/21 season has been cancelled for Cymru North and South clubs, bringing to an end months of uncertainty.
Second-tier clubs in Wales had been hopeful of having their ‘elite’ status reinstated at the last Welsh Government review but due to only minimal changes to restrictions in Wales, it was not reinstated.
Multiple discussions had taken place over the course of this week to discuss the prospect of the season beginning but those talks have proved fruitful.
A statement by the FAW confirming the news read: “The Football Association of Wales has received clarification that the JD Cymru North and JD Cymru South have not had their ‘Elite Status’ designation reinstated by the National Sport Group (NSG).
“As a result, the 2020/21 season has been cancelled for these competitions due to the ongoing public health crisis and the current Welsh Government COVID-19 alert level, leaving insufficient time to safely complete a reduced season.
|The FAW fully understands the frustrations felt by many throughout the country of not being able to play, volunteer, and support their clubs. However, these are unprecedented times and the FAW is not responsible for the national COVID-19 policies and guidelines, which are in place to keep the nation as safe as possible.”
Elite status was granted to them in November which allowed them to compete in the Nathaniel MG Cup, however, that competition was curtailed.
Both the North and South Divisions already had revised formats to accommodate for the delayed start to the season with 15 games scheduled rather than 30.
Discussions will now need to take place on the future of the Welsh Cup which was due to start in April with the inclusion of the 32 sides below the Cymru Premier.
It is likely that promotion and relegation will not be implemented from Wales’ top flight as a result of the cancellation of the season.
Clubs however are still subjected to the FAW’s licencing criteria to retain their status in both Tier One and in Tier Two.
