Swansea Referees' Society

On 26th March, the English FA announced that all football below the National league will cease and all results for season 2019-20 declared null & void – please click on link below for full story.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/52052351

At this stage, the FAW have not followed suit and – for the time being at least – football in Wales could   re-start after 30th April. However, whilst there is no sign of the impact of the Coronavirus abating the prospect of football’s return on that date seems highly unlikely.

Following the FAW’s decision on Friday 13th March to initially suspend all domestic football in Wales until 4th April, they have now extended the period to at least 30th April.

After some early uncertainty, most clubs quickly decided that they would suspend all training also.

Since then, the UK Government introduced stringent “social distancing” rules which means any gathering comprising more than two people (unless they are a family group) is banned.  As a result, many clubs have cancelled scheduled committee meeting and, indeed, our Society meeting (due to take place on 23rd March) was also postponed.

These are very difficult and unsettling times and there is no way of telling how long it will be before normality returns.  In the meantime, we can only ask that everyone complies with the “social distancing” rules and stays safe.

Phil Thomas the Referees’ Manager for the FAW has sent to following message to all referees:

“Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Football Association of Wales has taken the decision to suspend all domestic football until Saturday 4^th April 2020. Please note this includes all grassroots and junior football. The situation will be continuously monitored, and any updates will be shared on the FAW’s website: www.faw.cymru”

13/4/20

Editor’s Comment: This action is unprecedented in my time as a referee and we can only hope that the proposed three weeks’ hiatus to the season is sufficient to curtail the spread of the disease.  From a purely football perspective, this suspension further complicates an extremely difficult position faced by all competitions/leagues that have been disrupted by the dreadful weather during the last few months.  Will any competition be completed in the time allowed after play does re-start?  Only time will tell.

The next Society meeting will be on Monday 24th February at 7.30pm.

As usual, the venue will be the Visteon Sports & Social Club in Treboeth.

Ken Wright will be hosting a quiz on the Laws of the Game – so it’s time to get revising!

Unfortunately, because the pre-Euros friendly between Wales and USA has been scheduled for Monday 30th March, we have decided to postpone our Premier League Guest Speaker Evening.

The event will be re-arranged as soon as we can agree a suitable, alternative date.