shot-button
Subscription Subscription
Home > Sports News > Football News > Article > Euro 2016 No WAGs for Gareth Bale and other Welsh footballers

Euro 2016: No WAGs for Gareth Bale and other Welsh footballers

Updated on: 23 March,2016 08:34 AM IST  | 
PA Sport |

Wales manager Chris Coleman says wives and girlfriends of players will not be allowed at team hotel during initial stages of Euro 2016 in France

Euro 2016: No WAGs for Gareth Bale and other Welsh footballers

Gareth Bale with partner Emma Rhys-Jones

Wales: Wales will ban WAGs from their team hotel at Euro 2016. The presence of players' wives and girlfriends, or WAGs as they are more commonly known, has been a thorny issue around major tournaments ever since England's 2006 World Cup campaign in Germany was somewhat overshadowed by the presence of Victoria Beckham, Coleen Rooney and others.


Gareth Bale with partner Emma Rhys-Jones. Pic/AFP
Gareth Bale with partner Emma Rhys-Jones. Pic/AFP

And boss Chris Coleman is adamant that WAGs have no place at Wales' first major tournament in 58 years, at least during the initial segment of the finals in France. That includes his own wife, the Sky Sports presenter Charlotte Coleman, and star player Gareth Bale's partner Emma Rhys-Jones.

"We have three games and there will be no family, no girlfriends, no wives in our hotel in the first period of the group stage," said manager Coleman, whose squad will be based in the Brittany coastal resort of Dinard during the tournament.

"We have three games in 10 days and there's no time, we are preparing, travelling, playing, travelling. "We said let's get through the group because then there's a six-day period and we can have a day where we say it's OK to spend some time with the family - and then, bang, we are at it again."


Wales manager Chris Coleman with his wife Charlotte
Wales manager Chris Coleman with his wife Charlotte

Wales will face Slovakia, England and Russia in the group stages of their first major tournament since the 1958 World Cup. The Dragons will head to France after a final friendly in Sweden on June 5 before opening their Euro 2016 campaign against Slovakia in Bordeaux six days later.

Long wait
"It's no good us saying we are in camp for so long or complain about that," said Coleman ahead of this week's friendlies against Northern Ireland and Ukraine. We have been wanting to get there for so long. We have been desperate to get to a camp.

"If one of the players say they have a bit of cabin fever then good, we have waited long enough. Let's get through the group and then the players can have a day with their families and friends. We are out there to make sure we do Wales proud and to do that we have to prepare properly."


"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!


Mid-Day Web Stories

Mid-Day Web Stories

This website uses cookie or similar technologies, to enhance your browsing experience and provide personalised recommendations. By continuing to use our website, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy. OK