Football returns in North Wales this weekend for tiers 3-5, plus women’s tier 2 Adran North

Football is back this weekend for some lower level domestic leagues in Wales.

The women’s second tier Adran North, plus the men’s third tier Ardal League and fourth and fifth tier Area Association competitions can restart.

Clubs in Adran North, Ardal North West and East, North East Wales League and the North Wales Coast League East and West can kick off again provided they follow all COVID restrictions and attendances are restricted to just 50 supporters – this is a Welsh Government decision, NOT the FAW’s.

The FAW’s Community Game Board and National League Board today confirmed matches can resume from Saturday, January 8, subject to the FAWs Return to Play protocols being adhered to and any changes in Welsh Government Coronavirus regulations and guidance.

Mr Cadbury’s Parrot said: “So basically, you can sit in a pub with more people than you can stand distanced from outside – crackers man! Sqwaaaaaawk! Sqwarrrrrrrrk!”

In December, the Cymru Premier and Wales’ other football leagues were suspended until at least 9 January.

Discussions will continue over when the tier 1 Cymru Premier and Adran Premier and tier 2 Cymru North and South will resume.

The FAW said: “The Welsh Government Coronavirus Regulations do not permit any spectators at professional or elite sporting events and the FAW National League Board acknowledges the significant loss of income that clubs in the Cymru Leagues will face with matches taking place behind closed doors.

“The Adran Premier clubs are also prevented from having spectators in their stadiums at this current time. The FAW will continue its consultation with those clubs this week before any further decisions are made.”

The following protocols were agreed for the resumption of matches during this period (from January 8):

• Home team will be responsible for implementing all reasonable steps to manage spectators within the permitted number (50 outdoors and 30 indoors) for each match. Differentiated guidance in place for enclosed and non-enclosed grounds.
• Both teams will need to agree to participate in any fixtures scheduled under amended Return to Play protocols.
• Teams won’t be sanctioned if they request a fixture postponement due to:
  Positive cases of COVID-19 affecting a team’s ability to fulfill a fixture.
  Unavailability of changing rooms either if they are closed or if 2m social distancing cannot be maintained safely during their use.
  Being unable to manage spectators safely within the permitted number as set out by the Welsh Government.
  Teams should request a postponement as early as practically possible to the relevant authority.

The FAW is in regular contact with the Welsh Government on this matter to ensure that they are fully aware of the procedures that are in place for football matches to take place safely during this current stage of the pandemic.

The FAW also reiterate the importance of people receiving two doses of the COVID-19 vaccination and the booster vaccine.