Following the Slovakian FA statement published to their website on Sunday, 22 September detailing the UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body decision to close their stadium for the upcoming match between Slovakia and Wales in Trnava on 10 October, the Football Association of Wales has been seeking clarification on the decision directly from UEFA.
UEFA has confirmed the sanction to the FAW this morning (23 September) that Slovakia are to play one match behind closed doors, therefore, the European Qualifying match at the Štadión Antona Malatinského on 10 October.
UEFA has advised that the sanctions detailed in Article 73 of the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations (detailed below) will apply.
The FAW is incredibly disappointed as the impact of this decision will harshly affect our supporters who have already incurred the costs of travel and accommodation to attend this match to support the Wales National Team.
The FAW is currently making strong representations to UEFA about this unfair impact on the 2,137 fans who have purchased tickets for this match. Our supporters have an excellent reputation and do not deserve to be punished in the same way as the small section of the fans whose conduct has been reprimanded by the imposed UEFA sanction.
The FAW is also deeply frustrated in the communication of this decision to the association, which has generated a lot of unfair frustration and uncertainty for the association and the supporters.
UEFA has advised that the FAW is unable to appeal against the decision not to allow Wales fans into the stadium.
The FAW understands that the Slovakian FA intend on submitting an appeal against the decision of the UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body and will continuously monitor the situation.
Article 73 Matches to be played behind closed doors
Unless the competent disciplinary body decides otherwise, no one is allowed to attend a match to be played behind closed doors, with the exception of:
a. a maximum of 200 people holding category 1 tickets from the visiting club or association and a maximum of 20 VIP guests for each club or association;
b. a maximum of 55 people per team delegation, including the players;
c. accredited broadcast staff and media (journalists and photographers);
d. police officers and security staff with specific tasks related to security at the match;
e. people carrying out functions related to the stadium infrastructure (groundkeepers, lighting, signage, etc.) and persons carrying out functions related to the match (ball-kids, children involved in the pre-match ceremony as well as their chaperones);
f. a maximum of 75 UEFA representatives carrying out functions at the match;
g. people from UEFA and UEFA partners holding complimentary tickets;
h. children up to the age of 14 (duly accompanied) from schools and/or football academies invited to the match free of charge.
SLOVAKIA UPDATE / DIWEDDARIAD:
The Football Association of Wales is currently clarifying the situation with regards to the Slovakian FA statement on their stadium ban for the European Qualifying match with Cymru on 10 October.
The FAW will provide a further update in due course.
