THE 2019/20 Walter C Parson League Cup has been cancelled.

The tournament, which was originally due to be completed in May, had been provisionally rescheduled for August, with the final to take place on August 29, but it will now not be played.

Although football is permitted to return in August, matches would have to be behind closed doors as the Government is yet to approve a proposal for the return of spectators to matches.

Host clubs would also have needed to undertake a risk assessment and carry the risk of hosting other teams' matches, with the South West Peninsula League citing these logistical challenges in its decision to cancel the competition.

Falmouth Town were due to take on the winners of the one remaining quarter-final between Bovey Tracey and Mousehole in the semi-final on either August 21 or 22.

It follows last week's news that the Cornwall FA has cancelled all outstanding county cup competitions from the 2019/20 season.

In a statement, the SWPL said: "The board have considered the announced changes by the FA issued last Saturday and have had to consider that the proposed August completion of last year's Cup cannot go ahead.

"In effect the matches, if played in August, would have had to be behind closed doors and would have had to be played without even partial access to dressing rooms etc, the grounds would also need to have completed risk assessments earlier than for a September start and the three neutral venues would have had to carry the risk of staging other teams' games.

"We looked at putting the games back again, but with football due to restart in September and FA Cup and Vase dates etc it is felt that September should be used for getting the new season started and not for playing last seasons games.

"We apologise for this but feel we have no choice."

The 2021/22 competition will be played in a different format with the top four clubs from the two SWPL divisions to contest a mini-tournament in May 2021.

The two winners of the East and West divisions will host the fourth-placed team from the other division in two of the quarter-finals, with the two second-placed teams to host the third-placed teams in the other two games.

The semi-finals and final will be played at a neutral venue, with the final to be played on or before Saturday, May 22.

There will be a full prize money pot for the tournament.