Covid: Chester could move game amid England-Wales row

Chester could look to switch Saturday's home match if there is no resolution in the row over claims they broke Welsh Covid rules, the BBC has been told.

The English club, whose Deva Stadium straddles the England-Wales border, staged two home games over Christmas.

The Welsh government said the club was subject to its Covid rules, which effectively ban crowds from matches.

Talks have continued on Monday but a source said other options for the match against Brackley were being looked at.

One includes switching it to play away as the two sides have not met yet and were due to play at Brackley's St James' Park on 7 May.

If that is not possible, and no viable alternative can be agreed, the match is likely to be postponed.

The possible alternatives come after club bosses warned the club could go bust if fans were barred from the stadium.

They said the financial implications of this could be massive, and urged all involved to use "common sense".

But the Welsh government said "as a club based in Wales", Chester FC would be eligible for support because of crowd restrictions.

The two sides met on Monday and the club's board will meet later.

Chester FC was warned by North Wales Police and Flintshire council about playing further home matches with crowds in the stadium while Covid restrictions on spectator numbers are in place.

Since rules capping the number of spectators at events in Wales took effect on 26 December, Chester have hosted two home fixtures at Bumpers Lane - against AFC Telford and AFC Fylde - both in front of 2,000-plus crowds.

The club had insisted it had been told it was not eligible for financial support - from the £3m available for clubs in Wales impacted by fan restrictions - as it was an English club, but the Welsh government argued it was, adding: "As a club based in Wales, Chester FC would be eligible for support."

Club bosses said Chester FC was an English club, playing in an English league, and so would expect that English rules would apply.

Club chairman Andy Morris warned: "This is an incredible mess we've found ourselves in. It's never been an issue for the past 30 years but in the last week or so we've found ourselves in a situation that's a bit of a farce.

"We're a supporter-owned club and all the money we generate is from the supporters. There's no rich benefactor that can write a check for £10,000 if it was a fine.

"Any fine or reduction in income if we play behind closed doors directly impacts our future as a football club."

As it stands it does not seem likely Chester will get permission from the Welsh government to get around the rules.

Legally, with the Deva Stadium's pitch and stands in Wales, Welsh law applies and so the public health regulations set by the Welsh government apply.

It would be a controversial move if the Welsh government chose to permit Chester FC to continue attracting spectators when other rugby and football teams in Wales cannot.

But I'm told First Minister Mark Drakeford hopes a way can be found through this row - either through the club being compensated like others playing behind closed doors - or Chester plays elsewhere.

The suggestion that a switch could be found is likely one that would help resolve the situation in Welsh government eyes.

Mr Morris added: "No one is disputing that the border runs through the stadium, but the stadium was built in the early 90s and ever since that date, the safety certificate has been issued by Cheshire council, we've been policed by Cheshire police, everything has been managed from an England perspective.

"We admit that a significant proportion of the stadium is in Wales, however the entrance to the car park, the front door to the building is in England and the only road in and out is in England so we believe we're in line with our associations' registrations and business registration that we should be treated as an English Club".

Earlier on BBC Radio Wales' Breakfast programme, he called for "absolute clarity", adding: "On 2 January, Cheshire Police attended our game when this criminal act allegedly happened."

While the club received a £25,000 business support grant from Flintshire council, Mr Morris said this Chester FC could move game amid England-Wales rowwas because the bar area was in Wales, and it was a UK government support grant for the hospitality sector.

On Sunday, Welsh Secretary Simon Hart waded into the row.

He tweeted: "Don't understand the confusion with Chester FC & whether they fall foul of Welsh gov Covid rules.

"They're in the English league, under Cheshire W & Chester Council, policed by Cheshire Constabulary.

"They don't even receive Welsh gov financial aid. Any chance of some common sense?"

Before the pandemic club chairman Mr Morris said the significance of the stadium's unique location had been regarded as little more than the answer to a common quiz question.

On Saturday he said ground's location was no longer a joke and "had become a very real problem".

It is not the first time the club has been bogged down by Covid rules.

In October 2020 a cinema event was held close to the club, but ran into issues as the club's toilets were on the Welsh side of the border, where a firebreak lockdown was taking place.

A Welsh government spokesman said talks were held on Sunday and would continue on Monday.

"Throughout the pandemic we have followed scientific and public health advice to keep people safe. We have introduced additional restrictions on sporting events in Wales, which came into force on Boxing Day, to help control the rapid spread of the new omicron variant," he added.

"Chester City's stadium is in Wales and the club's home games are therefore subject to the current Welsh coronavirus restrictions.

"We have made a £3m budget available to support professional sports clubs and organisations affected by spectator restrictions. As a club based in Wales, Chester FC would be eligible for support."