BBC Sport Wales’ ‘welcome back’ football message slammed for ignoring Welsh domestic clubs

A BBC Sport Wales promotion that ‘welcomes back’ football fans to stadiums this weekend has been challenged for forgetting about the Welsh domestic league clubs.

The promotional film opens with a message saying, “Welsh fans are set to return to stadiums this weekend for the first time in a year”.

It shows a montage of the Welsh teams who compete in the English leagues, together with footage from Welsh internationals.

Welsh fans are set to return to stadiums this weekend for the first time in a year and a half. ⚽ 👏 pic.twitter.com/arof3o24O5

— BBC Sport Wales (@BBCSportWales) August 6, 2021

But social media commenters have pointed out that Welsh supporters have been watching their teams play domestic and European fixtures for the past two weeks.

While the Cymru Premier returns on August 13th, the two leagues below, Cymru North and Cymru South have been playing since July 23rd and are on their fourth fixtures.

New Saints

Supporters have also been following the Cymru Premier teams taking on European opposition with New Saints racking up a series of impressive victories.

Evan Powell posted a reply to the BBC’s message saying: “Tell me you neglect your country’s domestic pyramid without telling me you neglect your country’s domestic pyramid”.

While Huw Davies responded, “So the games I’ve watched at Trefelin, Taffs Well and Aberdare (twice) don’t count then. And Wales v Albania as well.”

BBC Sport Wales has faced criticism in recent weeks for its lack of coverage of The New Saints as they progress through the qualifying rounds of the UEFA Europa Conference League.

Spot on @RichLido I also can’t remember seeing anything on @BBCWalesToday last night about @tnsfc fantastic result on Thursday night! Need to do better @BBCSportWales @WalesOnline 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿⚽️! @indywalesfans https://t.co/tfc6NW13R0

— Dean John (@deanindiejohn) August 7, 2021

The New Saints recently beat former Champions League club Viktoria Plzen side 4-2 at the Cardiff City Stadium, making them favourites to go through against the Czech Republic side to a playoff spot.

This weekend sees the return of Cardiff City, Swansea City and Newport County to grounds with crowds as the English Championship and Leagues One and Two return. Wrexham AFC have their first fixture in the Vanamara National League next weekend.