‘CRAZY’YOU CAN WATCH BIGGEST MATCH IN YEARS IN THE PUB... BUT NOT THE STADIUM
THE Welsh Government has been urged to allow supporters to watch Caernarfon’s “biggest match in years”, with one councillor pointing to the “crazy” scenario of fans allowed to watch the game in pubs... but not in an open-air stadium.
The Canaries will face off against Newtown in Saturday’s Cymru Premier play-off final (noon kick-off), with the winners to join UEFA’s inaugural Europa Conference League.
As well as a timely six-figure financial boost just for reaching the preliminary round of the continental competition, the winners will also represent Wales in Europe.
Caernarfon Town FC say they have been “inundated” with messages from fans desperate to see them qualify for Europe for the first time, but stressed that current Welsh Government regulations do not allow it.
This is despite a number of test events announced over recent weeks, which include the Welsh national team’s friendly match against Albania on June 5.
As things stand, Caernarfon supporters would be permitted to watch the game in nearby pubs or clubs, as it will be broadcast live on S4C.
But with no supporters permitted on the terraces of the mostly open air stadium, the situation has been described by one local councillor as “nuts”.
Cllr Jason Wayne Parry, who represents the town’s Peblig ward, added: “A lot of people are talking about it and it doesn’t seem fair to allow thousands into Premier League stadiums yet not even a handful into Caernarfon’s biggest game in years.
“At the Oval you could easily bring in 200-300 people and still maintain social distancing.
“When you consider so many people have had their jabs and cases in Gwynedd being so low, surely common sense has to prevail?
“As things stand people will just be trying to watch the game from outside of the ground on stepladders or congregating in pubs.
“It’s crazy and I can’t see the logic of it at all.”
Such is the strength of feeling in Caernarfon, it has prompted the local Senedd Member to write to ministers requesting that a limited number of supporters be allowed entry to the Oval and trial new protocols ahead of the new league season in August.
“This is the most important game in Caernarfon Town’s history and there will be much interest from their large following,” Siân Gwenllian MS wrote in the letter to Vaughan Gething, who is responsible for “major events” under his economy portfolio, and Dawn Bowden, the Deputy Minister for Sport.
“It is timely to use this match to trial the new protocols that need to be in place by August when it’s hoped 300 clubs will reopen.
“It would make sense to decide on a capacity number and appropriate safety precautions after risk assessments are undertaken at the Oval.”
In response, a Welsh Government spokesman said: “The First Minister has said if the public health situation remains positive, at the next three-week review at the start of June we will consider moving to alert level one, which could allow larger events and organised activities to take place.”