A state of crisis? The issues facing Wales ahead of World Cup qualifying

Wales start their 2022 World Cup qualifying campaign in Belgium on March 24 and host the Czech Republic in Cardiff six days later.

But Welsh football is currently in a state of crisis with manager Ryan Giggs not attending games and chief executive Jonathan Ford leaving his position at the end of the month.

Here, the PA news agency examines the issues facing Wales just 89 days before their first game at this summer’s delayed Euro 2020 tournament.

What’s happening with Ryan Giggs?

Wales v Hungary – UEFA Euro 2020 Qualifying – Group E – Cardiff City Stadium
Ryan Giggs celebrated Wales’ qualification for Euro 2020 with a 2-0 home victory over Hungary in November 2019 (Nick Potts/PA)

So Giggs has not been involved with Wales since?

Well, he was not physically at Wales’ November games – a drawn friendly against the United States and Nations League wins over the Republic of Ireland and Finland which saw them top their group and secure promotion to the top tier of European football. But Giggs selected the squad and was in daily contact with caretaker boss Robert Page and the rest of the support staff. The same arrangement is in place for Wales’ three March games, according to Page, although the Football Association of Wales said last week Giggs would not be involved in the upcoming camp.

Will this be sorted soon?

Salford City v Harrogate Town – Sky Bet League Two – Peninsula Stadium
Ryan Giggs’ recent watching football brief has been as co-owner of Salford rather than as manager of Wales (Mike Egerton/PA)

But the chief executive’s gone too?

Jonathan Ford file photo
Chief executive Jonathan Ford lost the support of the Football Association of Wales council and is to leave his position after 11 years on March 31 (Ben Birchall/PA)

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