Urgent all Matches over Christmas Cancelled

Following today’s (22 December) Welsh Government announcement about team sports being limited to 50 spectators due to the omicron variant of COVID-19 and the subsequent decision of the FAW National League Board, the FAW COVID-19 Steering group met to discuss the remaining fixtures scheduled over the festive period. Following today’s meeting, the FAW has determined that all matches scheduled between Sunday 26th December – Friday 7th January should be postponed.

We recognise that only a small number of fixtures were scheduled during this period. However, festive fixtures, given the number of local derby matches scheduled, are likely to attract larger crowds than the permitted 50 limit that has been introduced by the Welsh Government and in the interest of health and safety of all those involved particularly given the practicalities of managing the 50 spectator limit at such short notice, the FAW feels it is a sensible approach to postpone all matches during this period.

The FAW will be updating its Return to Play Protocol to reflect the latest Welsh Government regulations and this will be distributed to clubs at the earliest opportunity. However, we can confirm that training will be able to continue as normal during this period.

The FAW will continue to monitor the situation and any changes to the coronavirus regulations. The FAW will be reviewing its decision to suspend matches on 4th January 2022 and will convene and Emergency Community Game Board meeting to discuss this matter further with a view to making a decision on matches scheduled for the 8th and 9th January onwards.

The FAW Communications team has drafted a template statement below for you to share with your respective leagues and clubs. Feel free to amend as you wish.

Feel free to give me call if you would like to discuss this further.

Template communication to share with leagues and clubs

Following today’s (22 December) Welsh Government announcement about team sports being limited to 50 spectators due to the omicron variant of COVID-19 and the subsequent decision of the FAW National League Board, the decision has been taken to postpone all matches taking place between Sunday 26th December – Friday 7th January.

The FAW recognised that only a very small number of fixtures were due to be played during this period. However, in the interest of health & safety, the practicalities of clubs managing the 50 spectator limit at such short-notice and festive matches, many of which are local derbies, that are likely to attract larger crowds, we feel the suspension of matches is a sensible approach.

The FAW has informed us that it will be updating its Return to Play Protocol to reflect the latest Welsh Government regulations and will distribute it at the earliest opportunity. However, we can confirm that training will be able to continue as normal during this period.

Alongside the FAW, we will continue to monitor any changes to the coronavirus regulations and the postponement of matches will be reviewed following the outcome of the FAW’s review that will take place on 4th January 2022.

We would like to stress the importance of people receiving two doses of the COVID-19 vaccination and the booster vaccine. For more information on vaccinations, please visit Public Health Wales by clicking here.