Wales and their fans are being tucked up good and proper

Wales and their fans are being tucked up good and proper at Euro 2020 while England and Scotland enjoy home sweet home
The news Danish fans will be permitted to attend last 16 tie against Wales in Amsterdam, while Welsh followers remain banned, just seems grossly unfair


By Paul Abbandonato

Wednesday 23rd June 2021


The Red Wall captured Europe's imagination during Euro 2016 - no such luck this time as Wales have gone from pillar to post
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After being bounced around Europe and dealt a harsher hand than that of any other country at the tournament, how Gareth Bale, his team-mates and Welsh fans everywhere must be wishing they could indeed have been playing upon the green green grass of home.

Rewind quickly to Wales being part of the bidding process when UEFA invited tenders for this 60th anniversary jamboree they were taking across the continent.

First Wales missed out by just one vote to Hampden Park, much to the disappointment of the FAW who felt they had put forward a compelling case for Cardiff.

Then, when Brussels was ruled out as a host city at the 11th hour because their Eurostadium wouldn't be built in time, Wales went back with a fresh pitch. They argued their hugely successful staging of the Champions League final between Real Madrid and Juventus, which earned plaudits everywhere, proved the merits of their Cardiff case.




Once more UEFA knocked Wales back, choosing instead to take the four games destined for Brussels to Wembley.

So England, already secured as hosts for the glamour semi-finals and final, were suddenly awarded three extra group games and a last 16 tie on top, too.



Seven matches for Wembley. None for Wales, despite boasting one of the best stadiums and fan friendly experiences in Europe - for a tournament which was meant to be shared around as a one-off.

That didn't seem right in the first place, but what has happened subsequently just rams home why many Welsh fans feel these Euros have been unfair to them and their team.

England's three group matches are at Wembley. If they overcome the Czech Republic on Tuesday night and top Group D, they will also be at Wembley in the last 16. Come through a quarter-final in Rome and the semis and final would also be on home soil.

So six out of seven matches at Wembley. In front of your own fans who are able to attend. Yes in limited numbers, but at least they can still watch their team.

Nice work if you can get it.



Scotland have had two games at Hampden Park, a trip down to Wembley and, depending on the draw, could be in Glasgow again as one of the best third-placed sides reaching the last 16.

Wales, meanwhile, have been asked to do it the hard way.




Two Group A games in Baku, one of them against a Turkey side from next door which was in effect like an away match.

Then they had to go to Rome to take on Italy in their own backyard.


The small, but loud, band of Wales supporters in Rome (Photo by RYAN PIERSE/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Next it's Denmark in Amsterdam in the last 16 this weekend, a match Wales fans are barred from attending because the UK is not on the Netherlands' secure country list because of Covid-19.


Nor is Denmark, by the way.

Yet just as you thought it couldn't get any worse, it is announced on Tuesday morning Danish fans can indeed go to Amsterdam for the game, avoiding quarantine provided they are in and out of the country within 12 hours.

Welsh fans, in the meantime, are still not be permitted to enter.

So Saturday at the Johann Cruyff Arena will in effect be akin to a third away match in four for Wales at these Euros.

Denmark will have plenty of their own supporters there and you can guarantee the Dutch neutrals will be full square behind the Danes too, given the understandable outpouring of emotion surrounding Christian Eriksen.




The odds are against Wales yet again.

Come through that, by the way, and guess where Bale and his team will be heading next for their quarter-final?

Wembley, Hampden Park, closer to home you might think?

Not a bit of it. They'd be off to Baku once more.

There's doing it the hard way - and there's doing it the hard way.

Wales' fans enchanted a continent with their friendliness, love of song and passion for following their country five years ago, making friends everywhere.

Because of the restrictions, they have been denied the chance to do that again. Those who have somehow managed to make their way to either Azerbaijan or Italy have had to go through hoops just to travel because of Covid tests, self isolation and everything else required at the moment.

Look, the rules are the rules. There is something massive to be said for Wales actually taking part in these Euros - even if you're having to do with amid the bombshell of losing your manager.

To be fair, there have been huge disparities in terms of fan numbers and restrictions on travel throughout this tournament Some stadiums are 100 per cent full, others barely 20 per cent capacity. Wales are not the only ones inconvenienced.





But given the news about Danish fans suddenly being let in to Amsterdam this weekend, while they remain barred, you can forgive Welsh supporters for feeling particularly aggrieved right at this moment in time.

If any other nation has been dealt a tougher hand logistically at this tournament, please feel free to shout out.

It's hardly England's and Scotland's fault they have such a distinct home advantage, but it does highlight the huge disadvantage Wales are playing under.

There is a teeny bit of bright news on the horizon. If, by hook or by crook and totally against the odds, Wales can somehow reach the semi-finals once more, a tall order admittedly, at least that would be at Wembley.


In front of 60,000-plus fans, Boris Johnson has just announced, meaning hordes of Welsh fans would descend over the Severn Bridge for that one.

Particularly as this time the semi-final could well be against Gareth Southgate's England, rather than Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal.


Wow, what a prospect that is. Wales battling the obstacles to get to that stage, England having had something of a comfort ride by comparison.

At least Wales would be battle-hardened. Win that one, and maybe, just maybe, the travails and the turmoil that preceded it would be forgotten.

But that's jumping way ahead of ourselves. There's Denmark away in Copenhagen (sorry Amsterdam) to think of first.

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Welsh Sport / Welsh Fans:

Wales have been shafted by UEFA yes, but the least Welshgov and Cardiff Cou could do is run a fanzone, even multiple.. by own rules we wouldn't even need to test we can have up to 10,000 outdoors?

Seems lazy and is ruining the experience with the lack of venues to watch!

Tucked up is putting it lightly.

Let’s hope the lads use it all as an incentive and beat the Danes and Ingerland get knocked out next week on their own turf in front of their own fans.......

As far as Mr Dickford is concerned he should have stood down when he said he would. He’s going to leave Wales dragging it’s feet for years after he goes. Suppose we can thank all those who voted for him and think of all the money he’s going to waste in the next 5 yrs.

We get tucked up right left and centre whether it’s sport or politics, one would think we’d be used to it by now.

As I’ve said elsewhere the venues were decided years ago and then was the time to moan.The unfair part for me is we are not allowed to travel to Holland but UEFA officials will probably be allowed in Wembley for final.
What happens if the Dutch get to semi final and we stop them.

Tucked up is putting it lightly.

Let’s hope the lads use it all as an incentive and beat the Danes and Ingerland get knocked out next week on their own turf in front of their own fans.......

As far as Mr Dickford is concerned he should have stood down when he said he would. He’s going to leave Wales dragging it’s feet for years after he goes. Suppose we can thank all those who voted for him and think of all the money he’s going to waste in the next 5 yrs.

We get tucked up right left and centre whether it’s sport or politics, one would think we’d be used to it by now.

Why people have to bring Welsh govt into this I have no idea - I hate to let facts get in the way of a good story, but Welsh govt announced on Monday that they would work with any local authority who wanted to put on fan zones, and they (Welsh gov) were in favour of fans watching the game outside, rather than congregating inside.

As for the article itself, completely agree we've been tucked up - but no change there, is it?!

Tucked up is putting it lightly.

Let’s hope the lads use it all as an incentive and beat the Danes and Ingerland get knocked out next week on their own turf in front of their own fans.......

As far as Mr Dickford is concerned he should have stood down when he said he would. He’s going to leave Wales dragging it’s feet for years after he goes. Suppose we can thank all those who voted for him and think of all the money he’s going to waste in the next 5 yrs.

We get tucked up right left and centre whether it’s sport or politics, one would think we’d be used to it by now.

Why people have to bring Welsh govt into this I have no idea - I hate to let facts get in the way of a good story, but Welsh govt announced on Monday that they would work with any local authority who wanted to put on fan zones, and they (Welsh gov) were in favour of fans watching the game outside, rather than congregating inside.

As for the article itself, completely agree we've been tucked up - but no change there, is it?!

I mentioned it purely from the point of view he told supporters not to travel. So football/politics is intertwined with this issue.

Good old him for allowing outside meetings to watch it but local authorities aren’t taking it up as they don’t want the hassle and I don’t blame them. Also they decide not WG.

sadly if we had been awarded fixtures at home drakeford would have probably stopped anyone attending! I am sure uefa are aware of his ‘record’.

sadly if we had been awarded fixtures at home drakeford would have probably stopped anyone attending! I am sure uefa are aware of his ‘record’.

UEFA were aware of his record of handling a pandemic in 2020 when choosing the venues in 2014?

sadly if we had been awarded fixtures at home drakeford would have probably stopped anyone attending! I am sure uefa are aware of his ‘record’.

UEFA were aware of his record of handling a pandemic in 2020 when choosing the venues in 2014?

the decision to move games from the ROI was in April 2021....not in 2014

and when was the fresh pitch presented after the Belgians pulled out please?

sadly if we had been awarded fixtures at home drakeford would have probably stopped anyone attending! I am sure uefa are aware of his ‘record’.

UEFA were aware of his record of handling a pandemic in 2020 when choosing the venues in 2014?

the decision to move games from the ROI was in April 2021....not in 2014

To St Petersburg and London which were already confirmed host cities. The decision to move the games was only 7 weeks before the tournament started. No doubt it would've been a logistical nightmare to prep two new host cities instead of just giving the extra games to cities that had already prepared the infrastructure considering how close to the tournament the decision was made.

and when was the fresh pitch presented after the Belgians pulled out please?

Straight afterwards as been said in OP but was rejected for Wembley..

Mark dripford has been brought into the conversation because he is our first minister and should have a say whether he agrees with fans going or not
he should at the very least call uefa out and in the welsh nations eyes and state we are been treated very badly on this topic of no fans
brexit has come into it and no host country should be allowed to change rules at the last minute to accomodate who and what fans they choose to enter there stadium
are uefa actually running this tournament?
England and boris are at it now they increased the allocation last night of england fans and are thinking they are going to be in semi's so increase again to 60,000 i wonder what would happen if holland get to semi's the country who would not let wales a british country into to there' s
will boris ban anyone travelling from holland
I doubt it because england have been treated so nicely with all home games
This is a time when the first minister could step in and ask boris to stop holland fans coming into the country like they did with wales but we know thats as likely as us getting backing from the english media
The whole thing is a farce.

Tucked up is putting it lightly.

Let’s hope the lads use it all as an incentive and beat the Danes and Ingerland get knocked out next week on their own turf in front of their own fans.......

As far as Mr Dickford is concerned he should have stood down when he said he would. He’s going to leave Wales dragging it’s feet for years after he goes. Suppose we can thank all those who voted for him and think of all the money he’s going to waste in the next 5 yrs.

We get tucked up right left and centre whether it’s sport or politics, one would think we’d be used to it by now.

Why people have to bring Welsh govt into this I have no idea - I hate to let facts get in the way of a good story, but Welsh govt announced on Monday that they would work with any local authority who wanted to put on fan zones, and they (Welsh gov) were in favour of fans watching the game outside, rather than congregating inside.

As for the article itself, completely agree we've been tucked up - but no change there, is it?!

Whilst WG say can have them if councils want to organise one last time Cardiff council said no it ale council let it be held at vale resort...Also must remember that there are several covid restrictions that mean no point in holding a fans zone for 100 people or so as can go to a pub and watch game ...
All a publicity stunt to say we gave go ahead but councils said no....

sadly if we had been awarded fixtures at home drakeford would have probably stopped anyone attending! I am sure uefa are aware of his ‘record’.

UEFA were aware of his record of handling a pandemic in 2020 when choosing the venues in 2014?

the decision to move games from the ROI was in April 2021....not in 2014

To St Petersburg and London which were already confirmed host cities. The decision to move the games was only 7 weeks before the tournament started. No doubt it would've been a logistical nightmare to prep two new host cities instead of just giving the extra games to cities that had already prepared the infrastructure considering how close to the tournament the decision was made.

were there not games moved for UEFA club competitions from one country to another at much shorter notice..... ?

The Dutch government has confirmed that Wales fans hoping to attend the last 16 knockout clash against Denmark in Amsterdam are banned from entering the country. But a spokesperson told WalesOnline that the ban does not apply to Danish fans, because Denmark is part of the European Union (EU)

This tournament for me has just been another nail in the coffin for football. It's a complete piss take for the fans.

Denmark now are having a larger allocation of tickets now the dutch have banned wales fans and are on sale.

Mark dripford has been brought into the conversation because he is our first minister and should have a say whether he agrees with fans going or not
he should at the very least call uefa out and in the welsh nations eyes and state we are been treated very badly on this topic of no fans
brexit has come into it and no host country should be allowed to change rules at the last minute to accomodate who and what fans they choose to enter there stadium
are uefa actually running this tournament?
England and boris are at it now they increased the allocation last night of england fans and are thinking they are going to be in semi's so increase again to 60,000 i wonder what would happen if holland get to semi's the country who would not let wales a british country into to there' s
will boris ban anyone travelling from holland
I doubt it because england have been treated so nicely with all home games
This is a time when the first minister could step in and ask boris to stop holland fans coming into the country like they did with wales but we know thats as likely as us getting backing from the english media
The whole thing is a farce.

WAG has commented Eluned the Health Secretary has contacted Amsterdam police ,so they do seem to care about something, perhaps looking for tickets ??? .

The Dutch government has confirmed that Wales fans hoping to attend the last 16 knockout clash against Denmark in Amsterdam are banned from entering the country. But a spokesperson told WalesOnline that the ban does not apply to Danish fans, because Denmark is part of the European Union (EU)

Paul Corky who has been fighting our cause said he believe it was a political move but could not not put his finger on it why. If your statement is true the he has his answer.

I wonder if this can be seen as a bit racist ,whether black ,ethnic or white .
Only other thing is BREXIT.

It’s because Netherlands stopped anyone outside the EEA entering their country due to Covid on 01/01/2021

As the UK is not part of the EEA anymore we aren’t allowed to travel

As it stands I believe Netherlands are the only EEA country outright banning travellers from outside the EEA

It’s because Netherlands stopped anyone outside the EEA entering their country due to Covid on 01/01/2021

As the UK is not part of the EEA anymore we aren’t allowed to travel

As it stands I believe Netherlands are the only EEA country outright banning travellers from outside the EEA

It’s on both the Dutch and Uk governments websites and has been since early January sadly

Euro 2020: 'Amsterdam will be like a home game for Wales fans' -

It's fair to say Wales supporters will be hugely outnumbered for Saturday's Euro 2020 knockout clash with Denmark in Amsterdam - but those who are going have pledged to make themselves heard.

Danish fans are getting extra tickets for the game as Welsh fans can't travel with the Netherlands currently barring non-essential visitors from the UK.

But for two Welsh brothers, the last 16 encounter is "like a home game" - as they live round the corner from the ground.

They can't wait for the "moving" game.

"We haven't been home since the start of the pandemic because of Covid travel restrictions," said Sam Credington, 26.

Well there will be 2 there - And Counting

The sheer date of it coinciding with brexit tho is a bit shady one would happen to feel the Dutch just wish to stop us going to Holland

If the Dutch reach semi/final let’s hope they are banned from travelling to london

If the Dutch reach semi/final let’s hope they are banned from travelling to london

Blame Boris, not the dutch. He's the reason you are fucked.

Boris is increasing the tickets for the english game against germany to
40,000 how very odd but exspected no mention from boris on any platform a out not a single welsh fan been allowed to travel
but then again he did' nt even know we where in the competition.