Big blow for Caernarfon Town in battle for Euro compensation

It is understood the Football Association of Wales have told Caernarfon Town FC it will not be compensated for potentially missing out on a six-figure Euro boost following the governing body’s decision to end the 2019-20 season early.

And the Canaries, along with fellow aggrieved clubs Cardiff Met and Newtown, are, it is believed, being urged by the FAW to ask Welsh Premier clubs already in Europe to consider sharing their qualification money with them.

Caernarfon, as well as Met and Newtown, had the doors shut in their faces to European football and a considerable cash windfall after the FAW opted to award Barry Town United a spare place in the Europa League.

Champions Connah’s Quay Nomads, runners-up The New Saints and third-place Bala Town have booked their places in Europe on merit, but an added qualification spot was up for grabs via the end-of-season play-offs or the Welsh Cup.

Caernarfon and Met were due to meet each other in the Welsh Cup semi-finals, while the Cofis, fifth in the WPL, were also in contention for Europe through the play-offs, as well as Newtown in sixth.

However, as part of the 2019-20 season curtailment due to the coronavirus pandemic, the FAW decided to end the league programme and postpone the Welsh Cup, awarding the Euro berth to fourth-placed Barry.

Although the governing body said the national cup competition may be completed at a later date this summer, it would not be in time for the nomination deadline for the Europa League.

This left Caernarfon, as well as Met and Newtown, extremely disappointed as an avenue to a six-figure reward through European football has been closed off to them.

The three clubs are understood to have met via video link and are considering their next step.