5 hours ago
11
The Wales women’s team have been left ‘shaken’ after their bus was involved in a crash in St Gallen, Switzerland.
Everyone involved has been confirmed as OK, while Wales’ training session at the stadium scheduled for Tuesday afternoon has been cancelled.
Wales boss Rhian Wilkinson, who was not on the bus, said: ‘Football is secondary and I think, yes we are shaken because we are away from the team right now knowing that they've had to experience that.
‘But equally we have a great group and I have been assured that everyone is fine. We have practiced for the unexpected, that's what we can call this.
‘We will check in with everyone and make sure they are all in a good spot and we can focus on the football again after that.’
Wales are due to play France in their second group stage game of the women’s Euros on Wednesday evening in St Gallen.
Wales' women's team have been involved in a crash in St Gallen, Switzerland
Manager Rhian Wilkinson confirmed that everyone was okay but that players are 'shaken'
Wilkinson and Angharad James had travelled separately to the side for their media duties
Wilkinson added: ‘UEFA has been brilliant. This has happened literally just as we were coming in here, so we have been in the media vehicle and the rest of the team is on the bus.
‘They are near the hotel, so still quite far from the stadium, and our first thing we've done is to make sure they are away from the scene and get them to a place where they are all together.
‘It's about not over-reacting - just making sure they are all together and with the right people around them to make decisions.
‘What does our prep look like now? Well, I will find out how the team is and we will look at that.’
A statement from Wales FA read: ‘The Football Association of Wales can confirm that the Cymru National Team bus has been involved in a road traffic accident whilst travelling to Arena St Gallen for their matchday -1 training session ahead of Wednesday’s UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 match against France.
‘All passengers on the Cymru National Team bus and in the other vehicle are unharmed. The FAW’s priority has been to remove the players from the scene and return to the Cymru training base to complete their preparations for tomorrow’s match.’
Wilkinson and captain Angharad James were travelling in a separate vehicle due to their media duties.
Wales are at their debut Euros and were beaten 3-0 against 2017 champions The Netherlands in their opening game.
Wales lost their opening game 3-0 to the Netherlands and next face France and England
They have been drawn in a tough group with the Netherlands, France, and the Lionesses, who they will face in their final group game on Sunday.
Their leading scorer and most-capped player, Jess Fishlock, has urged them to move on from their 3-0 defeat by the Netherlands and 'ebelieves 100 per cent' that they can shock France.
She said prior to the crash: 'I know us as a group, we will refocus, we will learn really fast and we're really excited to get back on the field on Wednesday,' the 38-year-old told BBC Sport Wales.
'If you're going to ask me if I still believe that, then I will say, wholeheartedly, I still believe.
'The biggest message is not to dwell too much on the game and the loss. I think we really need to take what we need to take from it, move forward and throw the rest in the bin.
'That's my favourite saying: take what you need to take and throw the rest in the bin. It's not going to help you and if it's not going to help you, it's just going to hurt you.'
