Incident Overview
Following a troubling incident in St. Gallen, Switzerland, the Cymru National Team has confirmed that both players and staff are safe after their team bus was involved in a traffic accident. The team was en route to Kybunpark Stadium to prepare for their upcoming Euro 2025 match against France when the collision occurred.
Manager’s Statement
Manager Rhian Wilkinson addressed the media after the event, expressing her relief that everyone involved emerged unharmed. In a statement released by the Football Association of Wales (FAW), it was confirmed that all individuals on board the team bus, as well as those in the other vehicle, are without injury.
Wilkinson, who was travelling in a separate car alongside captain Angharad James, described the moment of hearing about the crash as unsettling. “I think everyone, from all reports, is OK, and we just need to get them all together and get everyone away from the scene to reassess,” she said.
Focus on Well-Being
Emphasizing the importance of the other driver’s well-being, Wilkinson reiterated, “More importantly, I think the driver of the other vehicle is OK as well. We will let everyone know once we know for sure.” The manager praised the efficiency of the staff and UEFA in ensuring that the team was safely removed from the incident scene and indicated that the scheduled training sessions for the day have been called off.
Emotional Impact
Wilkinson highlighted the emotional toll this experience has had on the team, stating, “Football is secondary, and yes, we are shaken because we are away from the team right now knowing that they’ve had to experience that. We will check in with everyone and ensure they are all in a good spot to focus on football again after that.”
Upcoming Challenges
Wales is facing an uphill battle in their first significant tournament following a challenging start, having lost their opening match to the Netherlands 3-0. The stakes are high as they prepare to meet France on Wednesday, where another defeat could spell the end of their tournament hopes.
