Broke Wales forcing players to SHARE ROOMS on international duty as Dragons face financial black hole if they miss Euros
WALES are in financial crisis and the cost-cutting means stars have to share hotel rooms.
Robert Page’s Dragons clinched a vital 2-0 Euro 2024 win in Latvia on Monday night to keep alive their qualification dreams for Germany.
PAThe Welsh FA are strapped for cash[/caption]
REUTERSWales players are having to share rooms in order to keep costs low[/caption]
But SunSport understands Wales are battling major money woes with chief executive Noel Mooney taking a series of cash-saving measures.
The return to room-sharing in this international window was one of those, with purse strings also tightened on opposition analysis.
Wales only took 21 players for the must-win Group D trip to Latvia and did not fill the bench — unheard of in recent times.
Boss Page initially named a 25-man party but Kieffer Moore and Joe Morrell, who played the second half of last Thursday’s 0-0 friendly with South Korea, were suspended for the Riga follow-up.
Then Wayne Hennessey and Wes Burns pulled out ahead of Latvia and NONE of the four were replaced.
The Football Association of Wales made a financial loss of £100,659 for the year ending June 2022.
And sources at the FAW have indicated Wales now bank on reaching major tournaments rather than the hope of following on from the success of two Euro qualifications in 2016 and 2020 as well as last year’s World Cup.
The budget for this year is showing a potential seven-figure loss and the pressure on the FAW has even led to an attempt to increase ticket prices.
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PAWelsh FA chief Noel Mooney is counting pennies amid a financial crisis[/caption]
The FAW’s HQ at Hensol near Cardiff was also due to an expansion but it is understood to be on hold.
Mooney was slammed by fans after charging adults £25 plus a £3 booking fee for the Korea stalemate at Cardiff City Stadium.
Wales attracted just 13,668 which was their worst home attendance — Covid matches aside — in four years.
Angry Dragons fans vented their fury at Mooney on social media for his greedy ticket policy.
In the summer, the Irishman also tried to increase prices for future qualifiers. But his proposal was rejected at a Wales supporters’ meeting and delayed until 2024.
Mooney, appointed in August 2021, has made a string of financial promises to Wales’ grassroots game and pledged millions to the Cymru Premier.
He said last month: “We’re going to invest a few million pounds into this league.”
The FAW chief issued a public vote of confidence to under-pressure boss Page in July.
But SunSport understands he privately prefers a bigger name in the hot seat.
Even before Latvia, it was believed Mooney was preparing for a switch. But Page signed a new four-year deal a year ago and any change would cost compensation.
Welsh players and staff are behind the manager.
EPAWales kept their Euro 2024 hopes alive with a win over Lativa[/caption]
