Wales: Top-level domestic football to stop amid coronavirus pandemic

Top-level domestic football in Wales will cease immediately after its elite status was rescinded amid efforts to combat the coronavirus pandemic.

The decision, made by the National Sport Group (NSG), affects the Cymru Premier, North and South divisions and the Welsh Premier Women's League.

The Cymru Premier's professional sides will not play while tier-four restrictions are in place.

The rescinding of the elite status level is for an indefinite time period.

The decision was made after Wales entered a tier four lockdown.

In the 'firebreak' lockdown in Wales in October and November, domestic professional sports teams were allowed to continue playing.

Former champions The New Saints are fully professional, while title holders Connah's Quay Nomads, Bala Town and Haverfordwest also met the criteria.

However, they will not continue to play this time.

A Cymru Premier statement read: "Although fixtures between professional clubs are permitted to take place during Alert Level 4, the JD Cymru Premier has decided that no matches will be played for a minimum period of three weeks, having fully taken into consideration the rapidly changing public health crisis in Wales."

Welsh Premier Women's League organisers decided to postpone Port Talbot Town's home game against Abergavenny WFC over Covid-19 fears at the weekend.

The Cymru North and South were given elite status in November, while the top divisions were given permission to resume in August.

Football Association of Wales (FAW) chief executive Jonathan Ford has warned football in Wales is battling a "dire situation" because of coronavirus.

Ford says the FAW is facing a "massive" financial loss as a result of the pandemic.