Latest news with #FootballAssociationOfWales
BBC News
4 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Fishlock frustrated by lack of goal-line technology
Jess Fishlock has questioned why Wales' key Nations League game with Denmark did not have goal-line technology, saying: "It needs to be better."Midfielder Fishlock appeared to have given Wales the lead in Odense in a game they needed to win to avoid relegation from Nations League the 21st-minute effort was not given with neither VAR or goal-line technology in use for the top tier Harder's second-half goal ensured Wales were left frustrated by the decision, with Wales' record goal scorer Fishlock saying: "When it's about whether you stay in League A or League B and the complications with that, we should be having goal line technology."It's so obviously a goal so I'm asking the ref 'how did you miss that?' It puts us 1-0 up and changes the game. It's super frustrating." Wales had suffered a difficult start to the game – including losing teenager Mayzee Davies to a worrying injury with the defender leaving the stadium on crutches – but Fishlock added: "We started to settle, started to play and scored a goal – it needs to be better. At this level we need the technology and everything to ensure it's fair."Several Football Association of Wales officials at the ground were puzzled why a League A game was not employing what has become increasingly standard assistance for match officials. Uefa have been asked to Wales head coach Rhian Wilkinson also questioned why the technology wasn't in use having been led to believe otherwise by the fourth official."Maybe I didn't understand, maybe she didn't," Wilkinson said. "But I'm frustrated, it's lessons for us but, equally, for a competition of this stature this shouldn't be happening."My team worked hard and put everything on the line; you get a goal, you want your goal." Wilkinson said she remained proud of her side as they prepare to face Italy in Swansea on Tuesday, their final fixture before they open their Euro 2025 campaign against the Netherlands in Switzerland on 5 she will have to wait to see whether she has lost 18-year-old Davies who looked in considerable pain after a non-contact injury after just four minutes, although she did call for calm and patience as they await a full diagnosis."Any player who gets an injury like that is frightened," she said. "I'd ask we just allow the medical team to their great job, let the swelling come down and fingers crossed it's not as serious as it first appeared."Wales will also assess whether Rhiannon Roberts is able to feature against Italy. The Real Betis defender suffered an issue in training on the eve of the match in Odense and was withdrawn, although Wilkinson stressed it was precautionary and would not risk any players' fitness this close to the tournament.
BBC News
24-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Hughes and Hatswell could be a 'recipe for success' - O'Brien
Former defender Mark O'Brien believes the combination of new manager David Hughes and returning assistant boss Wayne Hatswell could be a "recipe for success" for Newport 47, has signed a two-year deal at the League Two club, leaving his role as under-21s coach at Manchester Welshman replaces Nelson Jardim who left the Exiles two weeks before the end of a season which saw County finish 22nd in the league 50, was previously number two at Newport under Mike Flynn and leaves a role in the Football Association of Wales (FAW) age-grade set-up to return to Rodney Parade."Realistically I think it's a really positive appointment and to add to that I think the appointment of Wayne Hatswell coming in alongside him is another massive thing for the club," O'Brien told BBC Radio Wales Breakfast."He's someone who has probably been through a lot with Newport and seen a lot of positives so to add that experience along with a new manager who understands what it's like to work with young players - being at Manchester United's under-21s - there's going to be a level of standards that will be expected of the players next year."[Hatswell's] record speaks for itself where he's taken Newport to really big heights over seasons when I played there and hopefully Dave Hughes is going to be somebody who refines that a little bit more and who looks like he's going to be able to work with young players, which the Newport County squad have a lot of. It could be a very good recipe for success that has come in the door."
BBC News
21-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Euros: Cardiff set to host Euro 2028 opening ceremony and matches
Cardiff is expected to host the opening ceremony of football's 2028 European Championships, a Senedd meeting has revealed. Wales was already due to co-host the tournament alongside England, Ireland and Scotland, but Rebecca Evans, Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning, lifted the lid on some upcoming major events on Tuesday, including hosting six matches of Euro answer, Conservative MS Samuel Kurtz went further in saying: "Six matches of the Uefa Euro 2028, and not just six matches, but the open ceremony as well."A spokesperson for the Football Association of Wales said they are "very confident" of an opening ceremony in Cardiff. The five-nation proposal was the only bid to host Euro 2028 and was officially confirmed at a Uefa meeting in Nyon in Switzerland in October Principality Stadium is one of 10 venues across nine cities and five countries presented by bid teams, but it's currently the second-largest capacity of the venues involved. It was previously known FAW were pushing for an opening game, and there were hopes Cardiff would stage at least three group games and a quarter-final. Ms Evans said hosting six matches of the Euro 2028, as well as securing a stage of the grand départ of the Tour de France in 2027, is a "significant achievement" for Wales."We can be confident that the economic benefits will be significant, and that a vibrant atmosphere for communities and visitors alike will be guaranteed," she discussion, Mr Kurtz added: "These events provide significant opportunities to boost our economy, showcase Welsh culture, and draw global attention to our landscapes, communities and world-class venues."
BBC News
16-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Roberts retired due to mental health after father's death
The New Saints' former goalkeeper Connor Roberts has revealed he retired from professional football because of mental health issues after his father took his own Roberts, an ex-Stoke City goalkeeper, was found at his home on 2 June, 2023, following difficulties with his mental health. He was 56 years 32, announced in February that he would retire at the end of this season, and went on to help The New Saints win the Welsh domestic an interview with the Football Association of Wales, external to mark Mental Health Awareness Week, the Wales C international spoke about his own struggles with mental health while dealing with grief."My father was an inspiration to a lot of people. He managed to play professionally in the game and then to me there's that cliche of being a hero but he was exactly that," said Roberts."Unfortunately he hit depression, he hit low mood where he did struggle with lack of confidence. His anxiety was heightened. His guilt was heightened. That's all natural when you're in depression and people, I think, relate to 'what the hell is happening to me' but that's all normal."Football at the beginning [after he died] was that release but now it's not quite releasing the stress that I feel towards life itself."I wanted to make my father proud every single time I stepped on the pitch. When you lose that impact I just feel like, not 'what's the point?' but that I'm not doing it for the reasons that I want to."I want that chapter to finish and begin my own chapter in terms of coaching." Roberts was born in Wrexham and started his career at Everton, graduating from the academy alongside the likes of Ross spells at clubs such as Fulham, Cheltenham Town and Bangor City, he joined The New Saints in 2018 and won several trophies season, TNS became the first team from the Cymru Premier to qualify for the group stage of a major European played against the likes of Fiorentina and Panathinaikos in the Uefa Conference League and finished the league phase with more saves than any other goalkeeper."I am a huge believer that he [Roberts' father] would've been watching the European games, but they were extremely tough I must say," Roberts said."Craig [Harrison, TNS manager] will vouch for this, I probably broke down after every single European game unfortunately, just because you wish he could be there live in the flesh to witness it and go through that experience with me."I want him to stay with me, of course, but I've told my counsellor and professional people around me that once I do finish and retire I will feel like something releases. "So I'm hoping that does happen and that I do find peace within myself and that can help me get over this journey."Unfortunately I lost my father but I'm so grateful that I've also experienced mental health, if that makes sense, because I can relate that back to the kids that I end up coaching."Roberts made the decision to retire before the end of the campaign, playing his final game earlier this month as TNS won the Welsh Cup to complete a domestic added: "I've probably had two or three tough, tough episodes, scary episodes in fact, and you're just not yourself, you're not thinking clearly. You do feel like something's took over your body but it's important to just drive and be around people that will support you."You would never guess that I was going through what I've been going through, but that means anybody can be having a bit of a rough time."I'm not over that yet, I'm nowhere near over that yet. This is a journey, this is a rollercoaster and it simply hasn't finished."Whoever listens to this interview, you don't need to worry about me because I've got a brilliant support network, but I'm just saying I'm nowhere near out of the journey and I understand there's ups and downs throughout this."If you, or someone you know, have been affected by mental health issues or self-harm, these organisations may be able to help.
