By Gareth James
Football in Wales is set to go ahead on the day of the King’s coronation on May 6.
The Football Association of Wales cancelled all fixtures on the weekend following the death of the Queen in September, receiving criticism in particular for the decision to prevent children from playing by postponing youth-team matches.
But there will be no repeat when Charles is crowned at Westminster Abbey, with the JD Cymru Premier play-offs to determine European qualification among the fixtures due to take place in Wales that day.
FAW chief executive Noel Mooney, addressing the cancellation of fixtures in September, said: “The Queen’s death was a really historical event.
“The cancellation of matches divided some people here.
“A lot of people felt we should have done two minutes silence at the matches. Some people felt we went too far in cancelling everything.
“There was a feeling here we had time in the calendar that we could give that respect.
“But it’s very unlikely we will cancel matches in May (for the King’s coronation).”
The FAW has confirmed the issue of royal patronage is currently “under review” following the death of the Queen.
It was reported by one media outlet last month that the Princess of Wales could take over the role as FAW patron, but that suggestion was strongly opposed by some Wales fans on social media.
Mooney said: “It is under review. We’re always looking to see what’s the right thing for the FAW to do, what’s the right thing for us as a country to do.
“At the moment we are doing a due diligence on the whole thing, what are the benefits for Welsh football.
“At the same time we don’t want to become an organisation that’s divisive. We want to be an organisation that’s inclusive to everybody.
“We’re very sensitive around these matters, and I think it’s fair to say we showed a lot of respect when the Queen passed away.
“Going forward we have to keep thinking about the evolution of the Association and we will have discussions to see what people’s views are.
“What we must do is make sure we don’t do anything that is divisive and alienates people.
“We are a very broad church and we represent every political and historical spectrum in Cymru, and we must continue to do that.
“We will take our time in 2023 to look at it properly.
“Let’s gauge what’s happening around us, see what other organisations are doing and what is the appetite (to have royal patronage).”
