RYAN GIGGS’ Euro 2020 dream is in the balance after a fresh setback.
The Wales manager will miss three more games including the opening 2022 World Cup qualifiers this month as he has been kept on ‘special leave’ by the Welsh FA with his ‘assault’ case still under investigation.
Ryan Giggs has been put on leave by the Welsh FACredit: Reuters
Giggs’ future remains uncertain as the Manchester United legend waits to hear if there is a case to answer with his file currently with the Crown Prosecution Service.
As a result, Robert Page will continue as caretaker boss for the qualifying clashes against Belgium on March 24 and the Czech Republic on March 30 as well as a friendly with Mexico in between.
That takes Giggs’ absence as Wales boss to a total of SIX matches since his arrest on November 1 on suspicion of assaulting his on-off girlfriend.
Giggs, 47, whose bail from Greater Manchester Police has been extended until May 1, denies the allegations.
But the lingering doubts over Giggs – as well as the exit of chief executive Jonathan Ford following a vote of no confidence from the FAW council earlier this week – leaves the Welsh FA in a major crisis ahead of the Euros with no guarantee that the manager’s situation will have a resolution from the CPS by then.
If Giggs is charged, then Page is likely to take charge at the Euros.
Wales, who reached the 2016 semi-finals under Chris Coleman, are due to kick-off their Euro finals campaign against Switzerland on June 12 in Baku.
That is followed by Group A group games versus Turkey, also in the Azerbaijan capital, and Italy in Rome.
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Before then, ex-Watford and Wales defender Page will name his squad next Monday for their opening Group E qualifier against Belgium in Leuven before hosting the Czechs in Cardiff.
The Dragons also have a home friendly against Mexico in the Welsh capital on March 27.
A Welsh FA statement read Wednesday morning: “The Football Association of Wales and Ryan Giggs have mutually agreed that he will not be involved in the upcoming international camp.
“Robert Page will take charge for the next three matches against Belgium, Mexico and the Czech Republic and will be supported by Albert Stuivenberg as was the case during the last international window in November.”
Giggs, who was appointed Wales boss on a four-year deal in January 2018, guided the Dragons to their second successive Euro finals after gaining qualification following a 2-0 victory over Hungary in November 2019.
His contract expires after the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Following his arrest, he missed Wales’ three internationals last November, with Page leading his country to two wins over the Republic of Ireland and Finland as well as a friendly draw with the USA.
The update on Giggs’ future caps a miserable time for Wales after chief executive Ford was forced to step down from his post on Tuesday.
A number of issues, including the appointment of Angela van den Bogerd as ‘head of people’, led to discontent among the FAW council, who voted 26 to five against Ford, who will officially leave his post on March 31.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
