Euro 2020: Gareth Bale quits mid-way interview after question about future, Wales coach throws “insensitive” inquiry
Wales captain Gareth Bale left the post-match interview in the middle after he was clearly annoyed by a question about his future with Wales after their exit from the round of 16 of Euro 2020 on Saturday in Amsterdam.
Gareth Bale cut a disappointing figure as Wales were hammered 4-0 by Denmark in the first Round of 16 match. Bale had a couple of attempts in the first-half but couldn’t trouble Kasper Schmeichel for most of the match that was dominated by Denmark.
Bale’s future in international football has been a subject of speculation and a BBC report on Saturday brought up the question that left Bale annoyed. Before the reporter could finish the question, Bale walked away from the mic.
“I know you were asked yesterday if this was going to be your last game for Wales and you said you wanted at least another one…” the reporter queried before Bale, 31, walked off from the camera.
Wales manager Robert Page slammed the ‘insensitive’ question, saying it was not right to talk about Bale’s future when the emotions for the Wales players were running high after their 0-4 defeat.
It was a disappointment for Bale and Page’s men as they were unable to progress beyond the first round of the knockout stages. Wales had made it to the semi-final in their Euro debut in 2016.
‘Insensitive question’
“Like any other player in the changing room right now, he is disappointed,” Page told the post-match news conference.
“Why would he want to answer a question about his future?
“For me it’s an insensitive question. What is the point of asking that when he’s just come off the pitch after a defeat? Emotions are raw, so he’s done the right thing by walking away and gathering his thoughts,” added the manager.
Earlier, Bale had suggested that the refereeing decisions had gone against Wales, who had to rally against the massive support for Denmark in Amsterdam. Wales were reduced to 10 men after substitute Harry Wilson was sent off towards the end of the game.
Bale was also seen questioning a foul that was not given against Kieffer Moore early in the second half that led to the second Denmark goal.
Can’t question the effort put in by Wales: Bale
Bale though maintained that Welsh players had given it their all at Euro 2020 and there can’t be any questions about the team’s effort.
“It’s not how we wanted the game to go. We conceded a goal and the game changed a bit. We came out in the second half and conceded which killed the momentum on our part,” added Bale.
“The boys are angry and frustrated but I’d rather we went out kicking and screaming than laying off and doing nothing.
“We missed an opportunity but what we can’t fault is the effort and that’s the minimum requirement from the squad,” he said.
