Wales future remains open: Angry Bale reprimands Siebert and steams off


Was it Gareth Bale’s last game for Wales? The goalless star striker doesn’t want to talk about that at all and breaks off an interview. On the other hand, he wants to talk about the German referee of the EM round of 16 against Denmark – and that doesn’t mean anything good.

Gareth Bale had so much planned for this European Championship. The striker has been without a goal for the Welsh national football team for more than 20 months. He, of all people, the star who was employed by Real Madrid, is currently back at Tottenham Hotspur. The captain, the leader of the men from Great Britain. He of all people has not scored for 14 international matches in a row.

The blemish should be removed. At the latest, please, in the round of 16, in which Wales made it. Even without a goal from Bale. Thanks to a draw against Switzerland, a win against Turkey and a loss against Italy. It was enough for second place in Group A. So now Denmark. Much undertaken, failed again because of my own aspirations. And violently. 0: 4, Wales lost to the Danes, who continue their fairy tale at this European Championship. After the collapse of Christian Eriksen in the opening game, after the incredibly tight entry into the knockout round. A new chapter is added with the first European Championship participation since the surprising European Championship victory in 1992 as a successor in the tournament.

Not a new chapter for Bale, however. At least not a sporty successful one. The star striker caused initial excitement at the beginning of the round of 16. When he pushed the ball just past the left post, 10 minutes had just been played. He put pressure on the right, but that didn’t count for anything. On the contrary, Kasper Dolberg scored for Denmark in the 27th minute and immediately after the break (48th), because Bale’s substitute team-mate Neco Williams put the ball right in front of the Dane’s feet during a defensive attempt.

2-0, the Welsh seemed to think of nothing more. Bale tried a far too harmless header, Daniel James dared a forceful shot that didn’t bring any benefit. It remained the only noteworthy offensive actions of the increasingly desperate Welsh. Maehle (88th) and Braithwaite (90th + 4) made everything clear.

“Referee was influenced by the fans”

And how did Bale react to the 0: 4? He was frustrated: “This is not how the game should go. To be eliminated the way we did it is disappointing, the boys are frustrated and angry – understandably.” But then he became defiant after his 15th international match without scoring his own. He complained bitterly about the German referee Daniel Siebert: “I had the feeling that the referee was influenced by the fans here.” Bale obviously did not feel his team was sufficiently protected in duels against the committed Danes. The Amsterdam Arena was firmly in the hands of Danish supporters, hence Bale’s indictment. However, Bale is pretty much alone with this view. Siebert again showed a sovereign performance in his third tournament appearance. Shortly before the end, he showed Bales’ teammate Harry Wilson the red card for a gross foul – a tough but reasonable decision.

It shouldn’t be Bale’s only questionable reaction after his EM knockout. When asked in the interview whether this was his last international match, he just ran away. No more looking for the questioner. Rumors of Bale’s possible resignation had surfaced before the tournament. He had emphasized that he only wanted to talk about it after the European Championship to avoid “chaos”. On Friday, when asked about his possibly last international match for Wales, he said: “I will not play as if it was my last game because I want to get to the next round. The focus is on this game and not on looking into it Future.”

But now it was the last game, but he didn’t answer immediately. Understandable, right after the game on the lawn. His coach Robert Page defended him: “It’s an insensitive question. He came off the pitch after a defeat, the emotions were fresh.” They might have overtaken Bale. In a few days, however, Bale will have to give an answer.

.