Wales game ON, but PRO14 off and Euros in major
WALES’ Six Nations clash with Scotland will go ahead as scheduled at the Principality Stadium tomorrow despite the growing coronavirus crisis, Wales’ Health Minister has said.
But the nation’s regional rugby teams have been thrown into a state of limbo after PRO14 announced the suspension of the league’s fixtures until further notice.
And last night, Wales’ much-anticipated Euro 2020 campaign appeared set to be put on hold as UEFA considered postponing the tournament for a year.
UEFA were also in talks with clubs about suspending their flagship Champions League and Europa League until the situation eases, while Spain’s LaLiga has suspended ALL games in the top two divisions until early April and, of course, all sporting activity has ground to a halt in Italy
Meanwhile, Wales’ friendly football international against the USA at the Cardiff City Stadium on March 30 has been called off.
Yet despite action taken elsewhere, with this weekend’s two other Championship matches – Italy-England and France-Ireland – having both been put off, the decision was reached yesterday for clash in the Principality Stadium to go ahead.
And last night, with developments coming thick and fast, the EFL announced all games will also go ahead as planned this weekend, with Cardiff City hosting Leeds on Sunday, while Swansea City are at Middlesbrough tomorrow and Newport County travel to Stevenage.
Welsh Health Minister Vaughan Gething gave the Wales-Scotland game the green light yesterday afternoon prior to Prime Minister Boris Johnson revealing the Westminster government has so far opted against barring fans from attending major sporting events.
The WRU’s policy is to do exactly as instructed by the qualified agencies and governments, with health experts making the call.
As such, the fixture will take place as planned this weekend.
The match is likely to be a 74,000 sell-out but some supporters with tickets are expected to draw their own conclusions and stay away.
As for the Guinness PRO14, matches involving Italian sides had already been postponed, but now the whole league programme has been put on hold.
Resuming the season will be under constant review, but no end date to the suspension can be provided at this moment in time.
A statement from the organisers reads: “The PRO14 is an international league.
“Cross border travel is inevitable and that brings with it unique challenges.
“With governments in Italy and Ireland already putting in place clear directives and restrictions around public activities and travel, the decision to suspend the competition is appropriate.
“It is in the best interests of everyone that games are not played at this time.
“The suspension has been directed by the board of Celtic Rugby DAC and will be remain under constant review.Resumption of the 2019/20 season will now become a matter of constant review.
“To this point, PRO14 Rugby has ensured that it has the latest information and guidance made available by the local and national authorities via our participating unions in the UK, Ireland, Italy and South Africa.
“This will remain the case for the duration of the suspension.
“This is an unprecedented action for the tournament and, as such, no end date to the suspension can be provided at this time.”
Tournament director David Jordan said: “We have made this decision with everyone’s welfare foremost in our minds.
“With an evolving situation in the five countries that take part in Guinness PRO14 it is important to make a clear decision that is in keeping with the advice of the various governments involved.”
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