VINCE ALM:
Some disappointing news regards allowing supporters back into stadiums in Wales to watch sport.
Cardiff City football club had written to the welsh assembly requesting a test event in line with the latest guidance for COVID 19 SG;02 document which is being widely used throughout the UK and Europe to allow supporters back into stadiums.
Cardiff are playing a preseason friendly against Cheltenham Town on September 1st and had chosen this fixture as it is prior to children returning to school. It is common knowledge that all UK governments, health boards etc expect the R rate to rise when the kids go back to school. Cardiff City Football Club wanted to trial a test event while the R rate is relatively low in the country so they could prepare and learn from the experience so when it is safe for fans to return to the stadiums they would be in a better position to accommodate and maximise capacity following guidance.
The 40 page document which was presented followed the SG:02 guidance, had contributions from academics, support from sport safety ground council, the EFL who had proposed Cardiff City as one of 2 No EFL clubs to hold a trial event due to the stadium layout, local authority, and fellow sporting bodies football clubs; WRU, Swansea City FC, Glamorgan Cricket Club, and FAW.
Unfortunately on the day England Scotland announced dates for football supporters trials to go ahead in their relative counties, the first minister and head of Public health wales turned down the request and said they would continue to take a more cautious approach before allowing supporters back into stadiums, and didn't want any mass gatherings of supporters yet.
Cardiff were going to open one stand and allow around 2000 supporters in this trial following social distance rules. A lot of hard work and preparation went into the application, also the work to the stands and concourses that were going to be used had been prepared
It is difficult to criticise any governing bodies during this pandemic but there comes a time when poverty, economy, well being, and non related Covid illness become just as important or more important than the pandemic it's self. It is a fine balance but if it tips the wrong way those will be more catastrophic and kill more people than any pandemic if they spiral.
This trial was not to allow an instant return of supporters to grounds, it was a trial for everyone to learn including the welsh government while the R rate is low to asses a small limited crowd to ensure we get it right when it is safe to return to grounds. This is an opportunity missed in my opinion at a perfect time
The one main criticism for me has been the inconsistency of all the UK governments, mixed messages, no strategy of relaxing rules, you can go to the beach uncontrolled in your thousands, you an go to parks uncontrolled, but you cannot go and watch sport like horse racing, league of wales football which would be in a controlled setting. Merthyr Town supporters will be the only club in their division who will still play there games behind closed doors from 19th September, while other teams will have their own supporters in the ground providing the R rate is under control.
Many football clubs, rugby clubs, and other sporting clubs are close to going bankrupt. Football does not work without the supporters in the ground. For these clubs to survive they need supporters and things are really getting bad, most other countries have realised this and have relaxed the rules to allow supporters in the ground.
The South Wales Economy has benefited from our football league clubs, welsh rugby & football internationals matches to the tune of millions of pounds and providing thousands of jobs directly and indirectly. If a situation arises where supporters of sport are attending games in England and we are still playing behind close doors it will be interesting to see what pressure the public bring on the welsh government as many attend sport for their well being. We could have a situation where our football league clubs and top rugby clubs play across the border to survive resulting in thousands of fans sharing cars, coaches and trains back and forth to watch their teams play which be no good for the transmission.
I fully understand these are difficult choices for Governments, but everything has to be taken into consideration not just the mortality rate from COVID19. The public are well and truly educated how to stay safe and avoid infection which is a different dynamic to when it hit us in February and March this year.
I hope the welsh government in the not to distant future allow sporting public to return to stadiums as long as it is safe to do so for the future of Sport in wales, many peoples well being who attend live sporting fixtures.
We will continue to work with the club and the authorities with the goal of getting fans back in the stadium at the first opportunity.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/scotland/53849641https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/53856921