The pressure on Ramsey & Bale is little short of moral black
Fri Nov 18, 2011 7:09 pm
" ONE of Wales’ top political figures has slammed what he dubs the “moral blackmailing” of Aaron Ramsey and Gareth Bale over the Team GB Olympic issue. "
Dafydd Wigley, a former leader of Plaid Cymru, criticised fans who barracked the gifted Welsh duo in the aftermath of last Saturday’s 3-0 win over Norway at Cardiff City Stadium.
And he also turned on the FA of Wales hierarchy, demanding to know where their proof is over claims we could lose our independent football status by participating in Team GB.
Mr Wigley, Caernarfon MP for 27 years, claimed the way Ramsey and Bale were being treated in their homeland was “appalling.”
He demanded the FAW sort out the issue properly and display “unambiguous support” for Bale and Ramsey’s wish to appear in Team GB to nip this conflict in the bud.
“The pressure on Ramsey and Bale is little short of moral blackmail,” claimed Mr Wigley.
In a column he wrote for the north Wales-based Daily Post., headlined ‘Don’t blame Ramsey and Bale for Welsh FA and politicians’ failure’, Mr Wigley continued: “Wales has a remarkable propensity for self-destruct.
“A glaring example occurred when a small group of supporters barracked our two world class players.
“Their crime? They appeared in a promotion of Team GB’s Olympic strip and hinted they fancied being in that team.
“It is appalling that the two players should be put in this position. The problem is not of their making.”
Mr Wigley went on: “When Gareth Edwards, Barry John and Gerald Davies starred for the British Lions, did anyone get up in arms? Of course not... we were proud of them.
“Today’s outcry is because someone, somewhere suggested that FIFA could withdraw recognition of the Celtic nations and expect a UK team to participate in international competitions.
“It that happens, it will be an outrage.”
But Mr Wigley challenged the FAW by asking: “Who told them that Wales would lose its international soccer status if Welsh players appeared in a British Olympics team?
“Was this on the record? In what context was it said, and when?
“I haven’t noticed high profile campaigns by the Welsh FA to sort this out.
“Have they approached Government Ministers, to clarify their concerns? Have they lobbied Wales’ elected politicians?
“Why aren’t they sorting out this issue themselves, instead of leaving it to their star players to do their dirty work for them?”
Mr Wigley went on: “If there is evidence of FIFA shaperning their axe, why isn’t the Welsh Football Supporters Club camped outside FIFA’s head quarters, instead of harassing star players who have just performed brilliantly for Wales?
“The pressure on Ramsey and Bale is little short of moral blackmail. There are much more appropriate shoulders to pressurise. Those are in the National Assembly, at Westminster and at FIFA HQ. Ramsey and Bale deserve our unambiguous support.”
Dafydd Wigley, a former leader of Plaid Cymru, criticised fans who barracked the gifted Welsh duo in the aftermath of last Saturday’s 3-0 win over Norway at Cardiff City Stadium.
And he also turned on the FA of Wales hierarchy, demanding to know where their proof is over claims we could lose our independent football status by participating in Team GB.
Mr Wigley, Caernarfon MP for 27 years, claimed the way Ramsey and Bale were being treated in their homeland was “appalling.”
He demanded the FAW sort out the issue properly and display “unambiguous support” for Bale and Ramsey’s wish to appear in Team GB to nip this conflict in the bud.
“The pressure on Ramsey and Bale is little short of moral blackmail,” claimed Mr Wigley.
In a column he wrote for the north Wales-based Daily Post., headlined ‘Don’t blame Ramsey and Bale for Welsh FA and politicians’ failure’, Mr Wigley continued: “Wales has a remarkable propensity for self-destruct.
“A glaring example occurred when a small group of supporters barracked our two world class players.
“Their crime? They appeared in a promotion of Team GB’s Olympic strip and hinted they fancied being in that team.
“It is appalling that the two players should be put in this position. The problem is not of their making.”
Mr Wigley went on: “When Gareth Edwards, Barry John and Gerald Davies starred for the British Lions, did anyone get up in arms? Of course not... we were proud of them.
“Today’s outcry is because someone, somewhere suggested that FIFA could withdraw recognition of the Celtic nations and expect a UK team to participate in international competitions.
“It that happens, it will be an outrage.”
But Mr Wigley challenged the FAW by asking: “Who told them that Wales would lose its international soccer status if Welsh players appeared in a British Olympics team?
“Was this on the record? In what context was it said, and when?
“I haven’t noticed high profile campaigns by the Welsh FA to sort this out.
“Have they approached Government Ministers, to clarify their concerns? Have they lobbied Wales’ elected politicians?
“Why aren’t they sorting out this issue themselves, instead of leaving it to their star players to do their dirty work for them?”
Mr Wigley went on: “If there is evidence of FIFA shaperning their axe, why isn’t the Welsh Football Supporters Club camped outside FIFA’s head quarters, instead of harassing star players who have just performed brilliantly for Wales?
“The pressure on Ramsey and Bale is little short of moral blackmail. There are much more appropriate shoulders to pressurise. Those are in the National Assembly, at Westminster and at FIFA HQ. Ramsey and Bale deserve our unambiguous support.”
Re: The pressure on Ramsey & Bale is little short of moral black
Fri Nov 18, 2011 8:02 pm
I agree with you, Annis.
The boys should be left alone. There's lots more important issues in this world.
It's obvious they're both proud Welshmen and wouldn't be involved in this Team GB lark if they thought it was going to jeopardise the independence of the "home nations."
The boys should be left alone. There's lots more important issues in this world.
It's obvious they're both proud Welshmen and wouldn't be involved in this Team GB lark if they thought it was going to jeopardise the independence of the "home nations."
Re: The pressure on Ramsey & Bale is little short of moral black
Fri Nov 18, 2011 8:09 pm
Forever Blue wrote:"
But Mr Wigley challenged the FAW by asking: “Who told them that Wales would lose its international soccer status if Welsh players appeared in a British Olympics team?
”
Oh dear. Says it all. Why do they keep calling it soccer?!
Ignore the tw*t!
Re: The pressure on Ramsey & Bale is little short of moral black
Fri Nov 18, 2011 9:18 pm
3-0 win? It was 4-1... 
Re: The pressure on Ramsey & Bale is little short of moral black
Sat Nov 19, 2011 2:54 am
Nedd Glas wrote:I agree with you, Annis.
The boys should be left alone. There's lots more important issues in this world.
It's obvious they're both proud Welshmen and wouldn't be involved in this Team GB lark if they thought it was going to jeopardise the independence of the "home nations."
I don't see Annis stating this was 'his' opinion anywhere above, mate
He was just posting what he had read elsewhere
Personally, I AGREE whole-heartedly with Dafydd Wigley....
FAW?? Clueless, classless, amateur and unprofessional in every sense!!
Re: The pressure on Ramsey & Bale is little short of moral black
Sat Nov 19, 2011 8:42 am
This is a fair point. Barracking the players is not justified.
The Welsh FA should be capaigning hard to get written confirmation from FIFA that the status wont change.
Until that happens we cannot risk Team GB.
We have seen this week that Blatter has no morals or sense of honour whatsoever. By not sacking him FIFA have again shown they cannot be trusted.
The Welsh FA should be capaigning hard to get written confirmation from FIFA that the status wont change.
Until that happens we cannot risk Team GB.
We have seen this week that Blatter has no morals or sense of honour whatsoever. By not sacking him FIFA have again shown they cannot be trusted.
Re: The pressure on Ramsey & Bale is little short of moral black
Sat Nov 19, 2011 9:43 am
griff105 wrote:This is a fair point. Barracking the players is not justified.
The Welsh FA should be capaigning hard to get written confirmation from FIFA that the status wont change.
Until that happens we cannot risk Team GB.
We have seen this week that Blatter has no morals or sense of honour whatsoever. By not sacking him FIFA have again shown they cannot be trusted.
agreed buddy...not worth the risk at all for such a 'no-mark' competition!
You going today? Need to get the funds together for the new year and then , mybe, I'll be able to do a few 'aways' towards the end of the season