Wrexham at 'disadvantage' without fans, says manager Dean Keates
- Published
Wrexham are ninth in the National League, a point off the play-offs.
Wrexham will be at a disadvantage by not having fans at their remaining home games, says manager Dean Keates.
The National League has confirmed home fans will be allowed to attend games between 17 May and the end of the season, including play-offs.
Wrexham have not been included in Welsh Government's initial test events.
"There's no doubt about it, be it having 50 people there or 500 people there, it does make a difference," Keates said.
"When there's no atmosphere and no people shouting, does that influence the referee's decision and what he does in that split second? Yes, I believe so.
"It will be at a detriment to us if we go into games and the opposition have got fans in there."
However, should the north Wales club - currently sixth in the table - qualify for the play-offs and have a home tie, then First Minister Mark Drakeford has said Wrexham will be granted a test event.
Mr Drakeford was responding to a question as to why no pilot events had been scheduled in north Wales.
"There's no geographical reason why the events are where they were. They were in different parts of Wales when we had our pilot programme back in August and September," he said.
"I am sure that if Wrexham reached the play-offs then there will be a pilot event where people will be able to attend the home leg of that, so in that sense there would be an event in north Wales and I hope very much - and my colleague Lesley Griffiths (the MS for Wrexham) wouldn't forgive me if I didn't say as much - that will indeed be the case in Wrexham."
Welsh Government has announced nine trial events across sport and culture to manage the return of audiences as Covid restrictions ease.
Wales' game against Albania on 5 June in Cardiff will have 4,000 spectators and both Swansea City and Newport County will be allowed crowds for their home play-off games.
"When you see things start to move, the wheels start to turn and a little more freedom for the whole country we hope something might fall in our favour," Keates told BBC Sport Wales.
Wrexham had previously confirmed the club had requested permission to have fans in attendance at any home play-off game, saying: "This opportunity is comparable with that provided to both Swansea City and Newport County.
"The club are now accelerating the work required to make this application. The earliest date that fans could therefore be admitted to the Racecourse Ground would be 5/6 June but, of course, this will not become a reality unless the club finishes fifth or above in the Vanarama National League."