FAW Youth Cup statement: Colwyn Bay FC

A Disciplinary Sub-Committee of the Football Association of Wales (FAW) met on 26 January 2026 consider the charge against Colwyn Bay FC for the Disciplinary Offence as set out under FAW Youth Cup Rule 23(f).  

FAW Youth Cup Rule 23 (f) states:

After the team sheets have been provided to the Referee by both teams, and if the match has not yet kicked off, no replacement is allowed except in the following cases: 

5. If any of the 11 Players indicated on the team sheet as forming the starting 11 are not able to start the match due to unexpected physical incapacity, they may only be replaced by any of the seven substitutes listed on the initial team sheet, with the exception of the Goalkeeper, who may be replaced by a non-listed substitute. The substitute(s) in question may then only be replaced by a registered Player (Players) not listed on the initial team sheet, so that the quota of substitutes is not reduced. During the match, five Players may still be substituted.
6. If any of the seven substitutes listed on the team sheet are not able to be fielded due to unexpected physical incapacity, they may only be replaced by a registered Player not listed on the initial team sheet.

It was alleged that for the FAW Youth Cup fixture against Pontypridd United on 7 December 2025, Colwyn Bay FC amended their team sheet after the deadline to select Luca Moran, who was not named on the initial team sheet, to replace Luke Parkes – who was not eligible to replaced under the circumstances stated in FAW Youth Cup Rule 23 (f). 

The Disciplinary Sub-Committee found the charge proven and Colwyn Bay FC were issued with a sanction of being removed from the 2025/26 FAW Youth Cup. 

Colwyn Bay FC have referred the matter to an Appeals Panel of the Football Association of Wales, which will meet on 6 February 2026. 

As a result, the FAW Youth Cup fixture between Barry Town United AFC and Colwyn Bay FC on 1 February 2026 has been postponed until the decision of the Appeals Panel has been issued.