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The New Saints (TNS) have been unsuccessful in their High Court case against the Football Association of Wales (FAW).

TNS took legal action after Connah's Quay Nomads were named Cymru Premier champions in May in a curtailed season.

Connah's Quay won the title under an unweighted points-per-game method.

The FAW welcomed the judgement and said it had "acted appropriately in these unprecedented times to look after the best interests of football in Wales".

After Monday's verdict by Judge Mr Justice Marcus Smith, TNS owner Mike Harris told ´óÏó´«Ã½ Sport Wales he was "disappointed" but had no regrets about mounting the legal challenge.

''I am naturally disappointed the judge has failed to give sporting merit its chance. But we hope football never gets blighted by a virus again in the future," Harris said.

"I would have absolutely thought Connah's Quay would have done the same thing if we had been awarded the title under a numerical system.''

Harris also said TNS were considering whether to appeal against the decision, but was mindful that the FAW needs to confirm its club representatives for Uefa competitions by Monday, 3 August, to European football's governing body.

"At the moment our people are looking at whether it will be possible to get it heard before the deadline of August 3rd," Harris said.

"If it is we will give it serious consideration, but this has always been about sporting merit and not about trying to sue for money or damages."

The FAW confirmed the end of its domestic leagues because of the coronavirus pandemic, which saw TNS miss out on a ninth successive title, having finished four points adrift of the Nomads when the season ended - with Nomads lifting the title for the first time.

Nomads manager Andy Morrison said: "Hopefully we, like Bala Town and Barry Town, can now get on with our European preparation.

"We have prided ourselves on our performances in Europe and our preparation has always been meticulous. Through no fault of our own, we are 2-3 weeks behind where we should be and only time will tell how that will affect us."

Harris had previously said he favoured league placing being decided on when the Cymru Premier split earlier this season. On that basis TNS would have been champions.

The FAW's statement added: "There were no easy solutions for the board of directors in these exceptional circumstances and their decisions were made in good faith and not based on the interests of any particular club, but the wider interests of the football community.

"The FAW has a responsibility towards everyone involved in the game and continues to be mindful of all Welsh Government regulations, written statements and guidance as they evolve.

"The FAW now looks forward to continuing with its return to training and play policies for the whole of Welsh football in order for the game to resume safely in the future."