BLUES BORDER ROW IS NOT YET SOLVED
WREXHAM, Chester and Merthyr Town will be allowed to admit supporters from Friday after the Welsh Government announced the lifting of restrictions on crowds.
Sporting events in Wales have been played behind closed doors since Boxing Day to help control the spread of the Omicron variant.
The restrictions have made Chester the focus of a bizarre border row whereby the club’s Deva Stadium sits across England and Wales.
The club has an English address and games are policed by the Cheshire Constabulary with the Blues also members of the Cheshire FA.
The Welsh Government ruled the stadium’s location in Wales as “a simple geographical fact”.
Chester were told by North Wales Police and Flintshire County Council, under direction from the Welsh government, that they were in breach of Covid rules after hosting matches against AFC Fylde and AFC Telford following the ban on crowds.
Chester were forced to postpone yesterday’s National League North home game against Brackley Town as well as an U19s cup game, but now Wales will move to alert level zero under phased plans with cases coming down rapidly.
The easing of restrictions started yesterday when the number of people who could attend outdoor events rose from 50 to 500. The second stage of relaxing the restrictions will take place on Friday when the limit will be lifted entirely.
It means Wrexham can welcome supporters for their next home fixture on January 25 against Grimsby Town as can Merthyr on Saturday when they host Met Police.
Chester next play at home on February 5 against Southport and they will continue working to solve their geographical issue.
The club said: “We remain determined to find a long-term resolution that allows us to move forwards with certainty and will continue to engage with Cheshire West and Chester Council, Flintshire Council, North Wales Police and the Welsh Government to achieve this in a means that acknowledges the uniqueness of the Deva Stadium and preserves our status as an English football club dating back to 1885.”