Welsh Premier League Football - Welsh League anger at FAW ruling

THE MacWhirter Welsh Football League has been plunged into chaos following a controversial decision by the Welsh FA.
They have ruled in favour of Risca and Pontyclun remaining in the league, while rubber-stamping relegation for three other threatened clubs - Llantwit Fardre, Troedyrhiw and Seven Sisters.
A year ago the Welsh League was told that, under the Welsh FA strategic plan, they had to reduce membership from 54 clubs to 48. That meant six additional clubs would be relegated, but the demise of ex-Welsh Premier outfit Maesteg Park led to only five facing the axe.
Garw and Pentwyn Dynamos, who occupied the two automatic relegation spots, have gone and been replaced by Caerau and Treowen.
However, clubs who did not meet Welsh League criteria were to be relegated ahead of those occupying relegation spots in division three.
But while the league's management committee are adamant that all clubs now meet criteria, Risca and Pontyclun didn't accept that.
The pair turned to lawyers, and last month's Welsh League AGM in Bridgend broke up without promotion and relegation issues being discussed.
But the Welsh FA ruling would lead to clubs that finished above the pair in division three last term being relegated.
The decision has also left the league management committee fuming, and they are now hoping to stage the reconvened AGM in Cardiff on July 26.
"The Welsh FA haven't backed their own strategic plan and have opted to relegate clubs that finished above Risca and Pontyclun in the league," said a Welsh League club spokesman.
"That cannot be right, and the decision has angered a lot of clubs. If the Welsh FA can't back their own plan, then the league should maintain the status quo and go with 54 clubs next winter.''
The new season is due to get underway on August 14 but, with fixture lists yet to be distributed and the cup draw also postponed, that is now under threat.

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