All Welsh clubs now allowed to welcome up to 100 spectators
Fans watch from outside the ground Penybont v Flint Town United at Bryntirion Park in the JD Cymru Premier on the 20th March 2021.Lewis Mitchell/Penybont FC
The Football Association of Wales has allowed all Welsh football clubs to admit up to 100 spectators at their matches.
After a successful few weeks of trial events, organised by the governing body and conducted by their member clubs, they will now be allowed to welcome fans in a safe manner.
The news will come as a welcome relief to clubs who have been unable to generate any revenue streams through ticketing.
Cymru Premier and Welsh Premier Women’s League clubs played the entirety of the 2020/21 season behind closed doors, meanwhile, lower league divisions did not start.
A total of six trial matches took place, ranging from fourth-tier Bangor 1876 to Europa Conference League hopefuls Newtown, in the hope of providing an understanding for Welsh clubs in welcoming spectators in a COVID-19 setting.
No official communication has come directly from the FAW yet but Martin Price, the General Secretary for the Ardal Southern Leagues said: “As of this evening 100 spectators will be allowed in all grounds in Wales.”
• Welsh football crowds to be capped at 100 in phased return for spectators
Clubs will be bound by the 100 limit but can make a request to the FAW to prove they can welcome more fans, in line with the Welsh Government’s social distancing rules.
From the events, a video has been produced to help fans in how their match day experience be during the era of COVID-19.
Things such as arriving at a designated arrival time, as well as wearing a face covering are to be considered.
Connah’s Quay have already announced that they will be able to welcome 200 spectators to their Champions League qualifier with Alashkert.
Though unannounced, the same number of spectators are expected to attend Bala’s European match with Northern Irish side Larne. They are permitting 100 spectators for their warm-up match with Colwyn Bay at Maes Tegid on Saturday afternoon.
