" Players are embroiled in bitter row "

Will Denmark v Wales go ahead?

The situation explained as Danish FA and players are embroiled in bitter row ahead of Nations League clash


Tuesday 4th September 2018


The Nations League explained

The international break is upon us once again upon us and Wales boss Ryan Giggs is gearing up for his first competitive match in the hot seat, as his side prepare for their UEFA Nations League opener with the Republic of Ireland at the Cardiff City Stadium on Thursday.

Hopes will be high that Wales can set the record straight following their heartbreaking World Cup qualifying defeat at the hands of Martin O'Neil's side last October.

However, while there will be plenty of fans eager to see if Wales can get their revenge on the Irish, it's the trip to Denmark that has stolen most of the headlines.

Reports emerged over the weekend suggesting that the Danish FA (DBU) had become embroiled in a dispute with players over commercial rights.

Quite a few rumours have been flying around since, including some suggestions that the game could even be called off.

Here's the full lowdown on what's going on, and what's likely to happen next...





What's actually happened?

The DBU and Danish players' union (Spillernforeningen) have been locked in negotiations for several months over a new contract for those representing the senior national team.

The DBU had been seeking a new arrangement that is understood to have been geared at raising more funds for community projects, with the players themselves refusing to sign due to their own personal sponsorship deals.

The players' union claims the DBU walked out of negotiations on Friday night, with the players reportedly choosing not to sign a potential temporary deal on Sunday.

Discussing the situation, DBU communications manager Jakob Hoyer said: "The parties disagree strongly about how it should be interpreted.

"We cannot continue with an agreement where there are such big ambiguities and where we lose so much money."

Both parties are believed to have met up once again on Monday in a bid to resolve the situation, which also affects head coach Åge Hareide and his backroom staff, but as things stand, a majority of Denmark's senior players have made themselves unavailable.

A statement from the players union read: "There is currently no agreement between the DBU and the Player Association for the national team players, and it has always been established that the national team does not play without a collective agreement."







Could the match be called off?

There were some suggestions on social media that the match in Aarhus could be cancelled as a result of the row, but such a scenario is extremely unlikely.

The DBU had a similar disagreement with the women's side back in October 2017, which DID result in the boycott of a World Cup qualifier with Sweden.

UEFA subsequently fined the DBU and threatened to ban Denmark from future competitions if it happened again.

It means the consequences of pulling out of this game are far too grave to even be considered from a Danish point of view.

DBU president Jesper Moller said: "It is regrettable and serious that there is no new national team agreement.

"The crucial thing is now that the two national matches will be played. The board has therefore asked DBU's management that the two international matches will be played with the strongest possible team."





So what happens next?

The likes of Christian Eriksen, Andreas Christensen and Kasper Schmeichel, along with a host of other stars from the team that reached the last 16 of the 2018 World Cup, are highly unlikely to play.

Indeed, the squad is expected to mainly comprise of players from the domestic Danish Superliga and First Division.

Hareide and assistant Jon Dahl Tomasson will also not be in charge, meaning the side will also be on the look out for a new temporary boss this week.

Hardly the most ideal preparation.








What do Wales think of it all?

Not a lot.

There's been no official comment from the FAW on the situation, with the Welsh camp keen to keep an atmosphere of it being business as usual during Monday's media day.

It remains to be seen if Giggs will have something to say on it when questioned later in the week, but Wales are choosing to focus on themselves, rather than worry about the team - and the standard of players - they may face come Sunday evening.

Their team will be made up of lower league players at best according to ssn. What a great chance to boost goal difference.

It took us long enough to score against Andorra similar situation here in regards to quality of players

they will sort it before the game surely.

they will sort it before the game surely.

Don't think can as squad names been given to uefa that's why names published now as needed to be submitted, not doing so was not an option or would be banned from uefa competitions.

It took us long enough to score against Andorra similar situation here in regards to quality of players

Not sure they are of similar quality also they've never played/trained together at least Andorra did that besides bet half players never met before

they will sort it before the game surely.

Don't think can as squad names been given to uefa that's why names published now as needed to be submitted, not doing so was not an option or would be banned from uefa competitions but knowing our luck a last minute solution will be found and they will field full strength team .

Futsal 5a side players called up, just hope we beat them !! It would be massively embarrassing for Welsh football. Rep of Ireland are missing quite a few and the Danish missed an entire squad, we should be on for good few days

Are both games on TV?

Both matches on S4C and sky

Both matches on S4C and sky

Nice one. Cheers

Denmark asked uefa for time in naming squad for wales so obviously talks still on going

They got till 11pm Saturday night

The DENMARK ( Res Team ) LOST 3-0 to SLOVAKIA tonight .