Wales fans can now travel to Slovakia for Euro 2020 qualifier after hosts' ground closure for racist chanting is overturned as anti-discrimation campaigners label process a 'mockery'

  • Wales fans able to attend Slovakia's Stadion Antona Malatinskeho on October 10
  • They were informed the national team's 2,137-strong support would be barred
  • But now they are told Slovakia have successfully appealed the stadium closure
  • Anti-discrimination campaigners called for Slovakia to be docked points 

Wales fans will be allowed to attend their Euro 2020 qualifier in Trnava after Slovakia won an appeal against the game being played behind closed doors.

The Football Association of Wales (FAW) was told on Monday that the national team's 2,137-strong following would be barred from the Group E fixture at the Stadion Antona Malatinskeho on October 10.

UEFA said the game would be played in an empty stadium to punish Slovakia over racist chanting from supporters during their 2-1 victory in Hungary last month.

Wales fans will now be able to attend Slovakia's Stadion Antona Malatinskeho on October 10

 Wales fans will now be able to attend Slovakia's Stadion Antona Malatinskeho on October 10

But the FAW tweeted on Thursday: 'Slovakia have successfully appealed against the stadium closure for the European qualifying match against @Cymru in Trnava on October 10.

'As a result, Wales fans will now be able to attend the match.'

Anti-discrimination campaigners Show Racism The Red Card Wales said the success of Slovakia's appeal 'made a mockery' of the initial decision and suggested a points penalty would have been a more suitable sanction.

Daniel James opened the scoring for Wales vs Slovakia in their Euro 2020 qualifier in March

Daniel James opened the scoring for Wales vs Slovakia in their Euro 2020 qualifier in March

WALES EURO 2020 QUALIFIERS 

Slovakia vs Wales - October 10 

Wales vs Croatia - October 13

Azerbaijan vs Wales - November 16 

Wales vs Hungary - November 19

The organisation's campaign coordinator Jason Webber said: 'You could argue that a points deduction is more effective than a full or partial stadium closure, because what does that do anyway really?

'A points deduction would make a stronger stance and would mitigate the problems that had been created for the away fans.' 

The Slovakian federation (SFZ) said that as well as the overturning of the stadium ban, the fine had been reduced from 20,000 to 15,000 euros (approximately £13,300).

The SFZ said the basis of its appeal was that the chanting was 'political provocation' rather than racism. 

The original sanction arose from an eventful encounter in Budapest which also prompted UEFA to order Hungary to play their next competitive home game, in their case a qualifier against Azerbaijan on October 13, behind closed doors as a result of racist chanting.

The Hungarian Football Federation were also fined around £57,400 for that offence, the throwing of objects and the use of fireworks by spectators, as well as the behaviour of its players.

Gareth Bale scoring against Slovakia and Newcastle goalkeeper Martin Dubravka

Wales sit fourth in Group E on six points while Slovakia are second - three points ahead