Wales angry at England’s home nations bid

Nov 25 2007 by Peter Shuttleworth, Wales On Sunday

WELSH soccer chiefs last night piled more disappointment on England as they ruled out the idea of a footballing Battle of Britain.

The Football Association of Wales insist they are committed to establishing a Celtic Cup with the Republic of Ireland, Scotland and Northern Ireland and are not interested in the FA’s plan of resurrecting the Home Internationals tournament.

England, in the pit of despair following their embarrassing failure to qualify for Euro 2008, are now desperate to link up with Wales and Co to create a money-spinning summer competition to fill their European Championship void.

None of the home nations, together with the Republic of Ireland, qualified for Euro 2008 and even Prime Minister Gordon Brown has backed the creation of a one-off Home International series.

But asked if the Home International plan would come to fruition, FAW president Peter Rees told Wales on Sunday: “I wouldn’t have thought so.

“Nobody from the FA has contacted the Welsh FA. If they do we’ll listen but I wouldn’t have thought it would happen.

“The Celtic nations are very close to finalising the details of The Celtic Cup tournament and it would be highly unlikely that both tournaments would happen.

“And we’ve worked so hard to make the Celtic Cup dream a reality, it would seem nonsensical to put that in danger now, especially for just a one-off.”

England had their chance to recreate the Home Internationals tournament last year, but FA bosses categorically dismissed the suggestions.

But their home humbling by Croatia 3-2 on Wednesday meant the English failed to qualify for a major tournament for the first time in 14 years.

Asked if England’s sudden desperation of reviving the Home Internationals just because they’ve nothing better to do is demeaning, Rees replied: “Quite.”

Wales greats Mickey Thomas and Neville Southall yesterday backed the Welsh FA’s stance and insisted ‘We do not want the crumbs of England’s table.”

Former Manchester United star Thomas said: “England just want to use us for a year while they’ve got nothing better to do.

“They’re just feeding us the crumbs off their table and thinking ‘It is only little Wales, they’ll bend over backwards to play us’. Who do they think they are?

“Just because they won a World Cup a long time ago, England believe they’re better than everyone else. Why should we bow down to them?

“England can’t just play us when they want to. The FA should show us some respect and I hope the Welsh, Irish and Scottish FAs stand up to them. And after last week’s results Wales are in a good position to tell England ‘We don’t need you.’

“England lost to Croatia at Wembley and we drew in Germany – and it’s Germany who are the world force not Croatia.

“John Toshack is blooding a lot of young players and they don’t need to play second-rate teams like England, we want to play big teams and learn from winners like the Italians, the French, the Brazilians, the Argentines or the Germans.

“England just want a quick-fix, money-making exercise and to cash in from the Welsh, Scots and Irish drinking the Wembley bars dry.

“If they were to commit to the Home Internationals long-term then we should listen, if not then let’s get the Celtic Cup on.”

Welsh goalkeeping legend Southall added: “England are being a bit cheeky – just because they’re not good enough to qualify for the main tournament, they’ll start one of their own.

“England can’t just use us when they want us because I can’t see the FA committing to a Home Internationals long-term.”

The proposed Celtic Cup will be played on international friendly dates while the Home International were pencilled in for the summer.

Welsh FA president Rees, secretary general David Collins and coach John Toshack are in Durban this weekend, along with every other football association, for the qualifying draw for the 2010 World Cup.

“I’m sure we’ll bump into the English delegation at some point,” concluded Rees.