In a disheartening turn of events, more than 30 Wales football fans found themselves in custody in Armenia ahead of the European Championship qualifier in Yerevan. The Football Association of Wales (FAW) confirmed the arrests, emphasizing that discussions are ongoing with the traveling police and the Football Supporters’ Association (FSA) Cymru.
The FAW statement addressed the situation, stating, “FSA Cymru is the fan embassy in contact with local authorities, along with South Wales police, present to liaise with local law enforcement. The British Foreign and Commonwealth Office is actively involved, offering support to the families of the Welsh football fans and maintaining communication with local authorities.”
A spokesperson for the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office expressed their involvement, stating, “We are supporting the families of a number of Welsh Football fans in Armenia and are in contact with the local authorities.”
Approximately 1,200 Wales fans made the arduous 2,300-mile journey to Yerevan, underscoring the dedication of Welsh supporters. The pre-game advisory from FSA Cymru’s X account, Fan Embassy Wales, cautioned about ticket touts near the stadium, emphasizing police directives regarding fan allocation within the venue.
Wales faces a crucial Euro 2024 qualifying match against Armenia, and a victory, coupled with a Croatia loss to Latvia, would secure Wales’ qualification for Euro 2024. The unsettling arrests cast a shadow over the anticipated football event and prompted concerns about fan safety and conduct.
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By Agencies
