Euro 2025 row as ministers to skip Wales v France game

There is “deep disappointment ” that no Welsh government minister will be at Wales’ match against France at Euro 2025.

While First Minister Eluned Morgan will be at the side’s first ever game at a major tournament when they play the Netherlands in Switzerland on Saturday, there will be no representatives for the France game on 9 July.

Culture Minister Jack Sargeant will be at the final group game against England on 13 July.

One Senedd committee member said it would be “embarrassing for our team” if there was not a presence at every game.

Eluned Morgan said the government had to balance representing the nation with value for money for the taxpayer.

Chairwoman of the culture committee, Delyth Jewell, has written to the first minister urging her to attend the France game.

She said the move “risks conveying that our women’s team is not afforded the same recognition or support as others on the international stage”.

The Welsh government said Morgan would “support our fantastic national team” at their tournament opener, adding that it had invested £1m into projects linked to the tournament “to create a lasting and positive legacy”.

But there were concerns among committee members that the government would miss an opportunity to promote Wales.

Labour Member of the Senedd for Llanelli Lee Waters said it would be “embarrassing for our team if other governments are at every match and ours were not”.

“This is an amazing opportunity for Wales and we should seize it to support the team and punch above our weight in the sporting world.”

Plaid Cymru’s spokeswoman for sport, Heledd Fychan, made a comparison with the government’s support for the men’s team at the World Cup in Qatar in 2022.

She said the then-first minister Mark Drakeford “believed it was an obligation for the Welsh government to be in attendance to not only support the team, but also to use the platform the World Cup provides to make Wales known around the world”.

She added that it was “a shame” ministers were not following the example of fans to “make our nation proud and raise the profile of Wales across the world”.

The committee urged the first minister to reconsider, especially as they were advised that French president Emmanuel Macron is expected to be there.

Jewell said a visible ministerial presence “would demonstrate the Welsh government’s commitment to gender equality in sport”.

The Welsh government said: “Qualification for the women’s Euros is an outstanding achievement and an inspiration to generations of female footballers in Wales.

“We wish our national team the very best of luck and thank them for all they are doing to represent Wales on the international stage.”

Eluned Morgan told BBC Wales: “I’m hopeful we will get through to further rounds, and if so we will need to consider whether we send a minister at that point.

“We’re trying to get the balance right between representing the nation and making sure we get good value for taxpayers.

“I just want to wish the women of Wales who are playing in that team the very best. I hope the nation will get behind them.”