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Wales charged by UEFA for letting their players bring their children onto pitch

Football

By Mirror | Jul 09, 2016

**UEFA officials complained ahead of Wales' semi-final game against Portugal and they have now been charged**

UEFA have charged Wales after players brought their children onto the pitch at Euro 2016 to celebrate their success.

The likes of Gareth Bale and Neil Taylor enjoyed precious family time on the pitch with their kids after the victories over Northern Ireland and Belgium.

But UEFA officials complained ahead of the semi-final against Portugal and it has now been revealed that the FAW were charged by Euro 2016 organisers, report Wales Online.

It is understood the case was actually heard on Thursday, with Wales handed a warning over future conduct at matches.

FAW Trust chief executive Neil Ward confirmed: "We were disappointed. I think we understand security issues around all games. In fact the FAW has been charged by UEFA on that but we put in a lot of mitigation around this because obviously it is about that future generation and that inclusivity.

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"I think it was hugely popular among the people in the ground to see those young kids on the pitch. Some of those goals that were scored in front of the fans (by the kids) got as big a cheer as some of the other goals scored in the game. It was just magical to see and it again shows you the openness and togetherness of this squad.

"I think the players have blown away those myths of the modern professional player. They have shown huge courage, huge passion, leadership, friendliness and embraced the family ethic as well," he said during the BBC's live coverage of Friday's homecoming parade.

Superstar Bale was the first to break the rules following the knockout victory over Northern Ireland. The Real Madrid man played with three-year-old daughter Alba Violet on the pitch after the game, while other players' kids also took to the field for an impromptu kickabout.

The scenes endeared the team to the Welsh nation and the wider world, but officials were less than impressed.

The 3-1 quarter-final win over Belgium also saw the likes of Taylor and Hal Robson-Kanu celebrate with their young children draped around them.

UEFA tournament director Martin Kallen had earlier said: “It is a European Championship not a family party.

"A stadium is not the most safe place for small kids.

“It is nice pictures. We are not 100% against it but we are cautious.

“It is getting more and more a habit that entire family members would like to go on the pitch or into the technical area. The principle is how far you go with having other people on the pitch than the players. People with accreditation cards should be on the pitch and not more.”