WELSH PREM HALTED

TOP-LEVEL football has been halted again for the duration of the latest lockdown across Wales.

The Football Association of Wales released the following statement: “Following the announcement on 19 December from the First Minister, placing Wales into Alert Level 4 of the Welsh Government Control Plan in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic, Sport Wales has communicated to the FAW a decision of the National Sport Group (NSG) in relation to the elite status designation provided to the top levels of football in Wales.

“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 [understood to include TNS, Connah’s Quay Nomads, Bala and Haverfordwest] 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.

“The FAW previously announced on 19 December that all football activity below the leagues detailed above will be suspended during Alert Level 4.

“The FAW urges everyone to follow the Welsh Government guidelines during the firebreak lockdown to limit the spread of COVID-19.”