THE New Saints clash with Haverfordwest County on Saturday will be the only match to take place in the JD Cymru Premier League this weekend, the Football Association of Wales (FAW) has announced.

The move comes after the Welsh Government confirmed the 'firebreak' lockdown will be in effect in the country until November 9, and the FAW has confirmed says the sport in Wales will be impacted in the following ways:

  • All activity detailed in the FAWs Return to Play Protocols will be suspended during this period.
  • Clubs with a sufficient amount of professional players, coaches and operational staff in the JD Cymru Premier – as defined by the Welsh Government guidelines – will have their fixtures re-arranged to allow them to continue playing against each other.
  • Due to the suspension of the ‘elite programme’, the JD Cymru Premier will postpone all matches involving non-professional clubs during this period. Training during this time is also not permitted.
  • All Orchard Welsh Premier Women’s League matches during this period will be postponed. Training during this time is also not permitted.

An FAW spokesman said: "As a result of the Welsh Government's announcement, the 'elite programme' in Wales has been suspended, allowing the JD Cymru Premier to continue with strict return to play protocols and matches played behind closed doors.

"The Welsh Government, however, did stipulate that clubs who complied with the following criteria, would be allowed to continue playing during the firebreak period:

  • Sportspeople who work and earn a living through sport are allowed to continue working, and like everyone else they can leave home to do so if they cannot work from home.
  • Fixtures involving professional sportspeople are allowed to continue behind closed doors. All participants, such as players, officials, coaches, and broadcasters, are there in a working capacity.

"The JD Cymru Premier League consulted with its member clubs overnight and decided to sanction some fixtures between clubs who could safely meet the stipulated criteria.

"Some member clubs, understandably, didn’t feel that they had enough off-field professional staff to fully meet the stated requirements during this difficult period and their position is fully respected.

"The New Saints versus Haverfordwest County game will be shown live on Sgorio with KO at 5.15pm."