MX23RW : Thursday, May 9 21:52:27| >> :600:94561299:94561299:

Football and cricket in Wales to welcome fans in pilot events

Football and cricket in Wales to welcome fans in pilot events
© Reuters
The Wales national team, Swansea, Newport and Glamorgan will all play in front of fans again.

Pilot test events will take place in Wales during the next month as sporting fixtures in the country prepare to welcome back supporters.

An update from the Welsh Government on Tuesday confirmed plans for Newport, Swansea and Glamorgan games to be played in front of fans over the next four weeks.

The Wales national team will also get the chance to play with spectators in attendance at the Cardiff City Stadium in their European Championship warm-up fixture with Albania on June 5.

"Welsh Government is working with partners on the delivery of pilot test events which will develop processes and guidance that will allow the safe return of events in Wales," a statement read.

"Managing a safe and successful test events programme will hopefully allow larger gatherings back to stadia, theatres and other venues in Wales later this year."

Newport welcomed the announcement by the Welsh Government that they will be able to host fans for their upcoming Sky Bet League Two play-off semi-final first leg against Forest Green at Rodney Parade on May 18.

Four days later and Swansea will host Barnsley in the second leg of their Championship semi-final at the Liberty Stadium, with supporters set to be in attendance.

Up to 1,000 spectators will be permitted into Sophia Gardens to watch Glamorgan and Lancashire do battle between June 3-6 in the LV= Insurance County Championship before fans will be able to get behind the Wales national team before the Euros this summer.

Caretaker boss Rob Page has three warm-up fixtures before the tournament gets under way and the clash with Albania at Cardiff City Stadium on June 5 will now be played in front of 4,000 fans.

Mark Drakeford, First Minister of Wales, said: "It's been a long and difficult 18 months for the events industry in Wales – for event owners, those who depend on the sector for the work – and for those who long to see the return of live events to Wales.

"As we look at lifting the coronavirus restrictions in Wales we have worked closely with event organisers to establish a list of pilot test events which take in a range of different locations and types of event.

"This work is bringing us a step closer to a return to events in Wales, I'd like to thank these event owners and local authorities and health boards for their commitment in working with us and wish them well over the summer."

ID:446945: cacheID:446945:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:11491:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Ashley Giles pictured in March 2014
Read Next:
Ashley Giles paves way for "new faces" in New Zealand series
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal36265588286083
2Manchester CityMan City35257387335482
3Liverpool36239481384378
4Aston Villa36207973532067
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs351861169581160
6Newcastle UnitedNewcastle351751378562256
7Chelsea351591170591154
8Manchester UnitedMan Utd35166135255-354
9West Ham UnitedWest Ham361310135670-1449
10Bournemouth36139145263-1148
11Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton351211125357-447
12Wolverhampton WanderersWolves36137164960-1146
13Fulham36128165155-444
14Crystal Palace361110154957-843
15Everton36129153849-1137
16Brentford3699185260-836
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3689194563-1829
18Luton TownLuton3668224978-2926
19Burnley3659223974-3524
RSheffield UnitedSheff Utd36372635100-6516


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!