A MID Wales football club manager has accused the Welsh Government of "treating Carno like Cardiff."

Carno manager Gary Jones joined in the criticism of the Welsh Government's decision to ban supporters from grounds which was announced at midnight last night.

The ruling comes into place on Boxing Day as the Welsh Government bid to curb a rise in coronavirus cases.

However Jones, whose club compete in the Ardal North East League, said the Government regulations were contradictory.

Jones said: "I think it’s very frustrating that the government guidance contradicts itself.

"We could go to the pub and watch sport on the TV but we can’t have fans outside to watch socially distanced in a controlled environment."

The Boxing Day derby against Caersws could have expected a three figure crowd which Jones insisted would easily social distance while outdoors.

However the fan ban meant clubs now faced paying spiralling costs without any income.

Jones said: "The gate we could receive for the local Boxing Day derby would pay for referee fees for the next couple months. Now we’re back to funding the club with no support and no fans."

Jones also called on the Welsh Government to treat Welsh pyramid football on its own merits and not band village clubs with the Welsh clubs playing in the English Football League (EFL) and English non-league.

Jones slammed: "The government are treating Carno like Cardiff."