" WE WILL NOT BE MOVED "

Wales will NOT move Euro 2016 qualifying matches to Millennium Stadium as FAW aims for Cardiff City Stadium sell-out

Monday 30th March 2015

By Chris Wathan

Despite the possibility of making more money by switching to the Millennium, Wales are determined to achieve a 33,000 sell-out against Belgium

Wales are prepared to resist any temptation to return to the Millennium Stadium despite reigniting public clamour to witness stars such as Gareth Bale on their Euro 2016 qualifying march.

And Chris Coleman's men will instead look to make Cardiff City Stadium a sell-out fortress for their final three home games to ensure the nation's exile from a major finals is brought to an end.

The sensational Bale-inspired victory in Israel on Saturday has hardened belief the national side can reach France next summer, seeing Wales represented on the biggest stage for the first time since 1958.

And already excitement is building towards June's mouthwatering clash with group favourites Belgium where another step towards making it out of Group B can be taken.

The surge in demand for tickets on the back of the sky-high feel-good factor engineered by Wales' unbeaten start has prompted questions whether the Football Association of Wales would be prepared to switch the fixtures to the 74,000 Millennium Stadium.

But WalesOnline understands the prospect of return to their former home will be resisted with both the squad and the FAW comfortable and confident with staying at the smaller Cardiff City Stadium.

Wales moved away from the Millennium in 2011 because of falling crowds, but there were also complaints from some members of the squad about the playing surface.

That situation has been resolved with the laying of a new Desso pitch but players are keen to remain at a ground they feel they have made home and can use to their advantage in key games against Belgium, Israel and Andorra.

Sources close to the squad have suggested stars like Bale, Aaron Ramsey and Joe Allen enjoy the familiarity of a ground they have regularly played at since 2009 and think that packing out the expanded 33,000 ground will provide all the backing they need to make good on their superb start to this campaign.

There is also a feeling that switching would provide a boost to opposition with Wales players having to get used to new surroundings at such a crucial, late stage of the campaign.

Complications around existing Millennium Stadium events clashing with Euro 2016 dates – including a One Direction concert and Rugby World Cup fixtures – also effectively rule out any switch.

And despite the potential larger pay day on offer from big Millennium crowds, it is thought the FAW are aware of the bigger picture of making sure they give Coleman's team the best chance of fulfilling their qualification potential.

Games against Bosnia and Cyprus last October saw a big boost in attendances and there is a confidence that the remaining three fixtures – wrapped around away days in Zenica and Nicosia – will be huge draws.

Half-season tickets on offer covering all three fixtures are already in big demand as the buzz of Wales' hopefuls taking on Eden Hazard and Vincent Kompany on June 12 builds as well as the tantalising potential of qualification celebrations in the later games.

Totally agree,already agreed to be in CARDIFF stadium and a 33,000 sell out will be more intimidating, can't wait

Don't fix what isn't broken. Cardiff City Stadium is becoming an established home for Wales.

Quite literally, moving the goalposts at this stage is madness, especially if the players have said they want to stay at CCS.

Nice idea to allow more to see the match, but the cons outweigh the pros in this case for me.

C'com Wales!!

Quite literally, moving the goalposts at this stage is madness, especially if the players have said they want to stay at CCS.

Nice idea to allow more to see the match, but the cons outweigh the pros in this case for me.

C'com Wales!!

I agree. At least wait for this campaign to finish in my opinion.

Chris Wathan has missed quite an important point there, as the FAW wouldn't be able to move the game to the Millennium Stadium even if they wanted to, because UEFA rules stipulate that you need 120 days' notice to move venue. 75 days until the Belgium game.

Chris Wathan has missed quite an important point there, as the FAW wouldn't be able to move the game to the Millennium Stadium even if they wanted to, because UEFA rules stipulate that you need 120 days' notice to move venue. 75 days until the Belgium game.

Correct!

Totally agree,already agreed to be in CARDIFF stadium and a 33,000 sell out will be more intimidating, can't wait

Thanks to the foresight of one Vincent Tan, we have a stadium with a decent 33K capacity, that the national team and Welsh football public can be proud of

Chris Wathan has missed quite an important point there, as the FAW wouldn't be able to move the game to the Millennium Stadium even if they wanted to, because UEFA rules stipulate that you need 120 days' notice to move venue. 75 days until the Belgium game.

Correct!

Don't understand how he's missed that. It's quite an important factor.

would love a friendly match played against Brasil or Argentina at the Millenium

For competitive matches, the CCS is perfect

Also points out prior bookings at the millennium stad rule it out anyway so a bit of a pointless article all in all

would love a friendly match played against Brasil or Argentina at the Millenium

For competitive matches, the CCS is perfect

We did play Brazil a few years ago in the millennium and pretty sure it was a sell out

The Millennium should be ruled out entirely. Why try and fix something that isn't broken. Plus them damn horns there killed any sort of football atmosphere. Keep at the CCS.

would love a friendly match played against Brasil or Argentina at the Millenium

For competitive matches, the CCS is perfect

We did play Brazil a few years ago in the millennium and pretty sure it was a sell out

We did indeed, i'm sure Roger Freestone was in goal!! We also played Argentina (veron played I rmemeber) and also Germany where Earnie scored a screamer past Oliver Kahn!

Chris Wathan has missed quite an important point there, as the FAW wouldn't be able to move the game to the Millennium Stadium even if they wanted to, because UEFA rules stipulate that you need 120 days' notice to move venue. 75 days until the Belgium game.

Correct!

Don't understand how he's missed that. It's quite an important factor.

lazy journalist thats why!

Chris Wathan has missed quite an important point there, as the FAW wouldn't be able to move the game to the Millennium Stadium even if they wanted to, because UEFA rules stipulate that you need 120 days' notice to move venue. 75 days until the Belgium game.

Correct!

Don't understand how he's missed that. It's quite an important factor.

lazy journalist thats why!

To be fair to him, he's one of the better Media Wales writers. Wouldn't usually label him 'lazy', but missing that fact is a bit strange.

would love a friendly match played against Brasil or Argentina at the Millenium

For competitive matches, the CCS is perfect

We did play Brazil a few years ago in the millennium and pretty sure it was a sell out

Not sure when that was, maybe you're confusing them with Argentina? We played Brazil at White Hart Lane in September 2006.

would love a friendly match played against Brasil or Argentina at the Millenium

For competitive matches, the CCS is perfect

We did play Brazil a few years ago in the millennium and pretty sure it was a sell out

Not sure when that was, maybe you're confusing them with Argentina? We played Brazil at White Hart Lane in September 2006.

We've played both I think we lost 3 nil to brazil and not sure if we drew with Argentina. I think hartson scored but can remember it was one of his best games for Wales that night unless I was drunk and it was Azerbaijan instead

I got my tickets already sorted!

If ccs becomes a fortress let's stay there. If it works don't change it!

would love a friendly match played against Brasil or Argentina at the Millenium

For competitive matches, the CCS is perfect

We did play Brazil a few years ago in the millennium and pretty sure it was a sell out

Not sure when that was, maybe you're confusing them with Argentina? We played Brazil at White Hart Lane in September 2006.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/football/761094.stm

Cant believe it was 15 years ago though god I feel old now.

would love a friendly match played against Brasil or Argentina at the Millenium

For competitive matches, the CCS is perfect

We did play Brazil a few years ago in the millennium and pretty sure it was a sell out

Not sure when that was, maybe you're confusing them with Argentina? We played Brazil at White Hart Lane in September 2006.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/football/761094.stm

Cant believe it was 15 years ago though god I feel old now.

I think that's the first time I've heard of that game! Though I was only 5 at the time, no wonder I don't recall it!

would love a friendly match played against Brasil or Argentina at the Millenium

For competitive matches, the CCS is perfect

We did play Brazil a few years ago in the millennium and pretty sure it was a sell out

Not sure when that was, maybe you're confusing them with Argentina? We played Brazil at White Hart Lane in September 2006.

We also playdd brazil at the millenium stadium in 2000. Lost 3-0 and it was 1 of about 10 occasions wales have sold that stadium out.

Couldnt think of anything worse then moving back into the millenium. The CCS is now a perfect home.

Couldnt think of anything worse then moving back into the millenium. The CCS is now a perfect home.

Agree completely, the players are at home there, which is crucial. However, personally I'd have no problem with moving back to the Millennium one day. It is a terrific stadium, rugby one or not. But on one condition. The pitch must be flawless, as it is at CCS. Not a pitch that churns up.