Stick Two Fingers Up To The FAW
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| I was going to toss a coin to decide if I wrote this article or not. I did and the result was that I wrote it but then it turned out that I wrote it because of advice from the police and that even when I said I tossed the coin I had even made the decision before the alleged toss took place. Confused? Welcome to the land of the farce that is the FAW Premier Cup Final and the FA of Wales to boot. |
| Two weeks ago, the club proudly announced that the toss of the coin had taken place and that Cardiff had won (or is that lost?) and the game would be played at Ninian Park. Shock, horror thought the Swansea faithful seeing as most of us saw it coming and with the costs of policing this game, it was a blessing that the board prayed for (or was that agreed to?) |
| Then the date was announced. May 13. First available date as South Wales Police needed 18 days to arrange staffing to cover the game and co-incidentally, we find that we wait until just after that period to decide that we cannot fit it in on any of the two free midweek dates that Cardiff City and Swansea City had before the end of the season. So why not play a game of football 23 days after your last competitive match with two players on holiday. |
| And today we learn that there wasn't really a coin toss just a decision by the FAW Premier Cup committee that after discussion with the Police, we play at Ninian Park. So why tell us that there was a coin toss then? Do we know what is going on and more importantly do the people on the cup final committee. |
| I'm sorry but this game holds little interest for me. The only remote interest I have is that I like derby games. The way that the venue has been announced from club sources as well as FAW sources is typical of the way that Welsh football is run. Cardiff City have a professional squad of 36 players at this moment in time. Only about 20 would be used in their play off bid, leaving the minimum 16 required to play the final. But of course, we can't be seen to disadvantage the boys in blue can we. |
| Interesting to note today that the Champions League final is scheduled just three days after the final round of Premiership matches. The premier club competition in Europe can be played 72 hours after a league match, but we can't expect a second division side to play within that time scale on a play off final? |
| Did we battle our corner on this one? Well, we offered to play pre-season but the problem was highlighted on March 27. To get the game played on April 23 (target date) it needed to be agreed by April 5. 10 days to get something sorted but as usual the FAW sit back and do sod all for two weeks. |
| Lets just remember that the FAW do not give two hoots about any club other than Cardiff City. Where were they when Petty wielded the knife? When we didn't pay the wages? When we almost went out of business? What did they do, say or comment. But Cardiff invade the pitch after beating Leeds and they manage to grab a quick emergency meeting about it. How strange. |
| Still, I'm undecided but I may well stick two fingers up at the FAW for this one. It's their premier cup competition and they have devalued it slightly lower than the low valuation it had in the first place. As I said, the game holds little interest and if they want to pander to Cardiff's wishes at every command then let them do so. I'll watch it on TV I think. |
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