Move over Marie Antoinette, there are some new queens of Versailles.
Like poor old Marie Antoinette, Wales manager Chris Coleman has lost his head… over the issue of wives and girlfriends – banning the partners of his players from their Euro 216 base at Dinard.
That includes his own wife, Sky Sports News presenter Charlotte..
“We have three games and there will be no family, no girlfriends, no wives in our hotel in the first period of the group stage,” said Coleman.
Happy news for this couple! http://t.co/uuFKBcURY0 pic.twitter.com/x2BCwCljAg
— Her.ie (@Herdotie) May 19, 2015
Speaking on Tuesday Roy Keane said Martin O’Neill had not, as yet, decided to keep his players’ wives and girlfriends away from the Republic of Ireland base at Versailles
“I’m not sure if we’ve banned any WAGS yet?” said the Ireland assistant manager. “The manager mentioned he would have a look at it closer to the time.
“Listen, we’re working with the senior team and we treat them like men, like adults.
“If there are opportunities for the players to see families I think that’ll be open to the players,” added Keane. “As long as it’s not silly and three or four days before the game.”
You can never be sure what Keano considers “silly” but you imagine himself and O’Neill would rather undergo makeovers than have Ireland’s training camp descend into the tabloid zoo of Baden-Baden, when England’s World Cup preparations were hindered somewhat by the paparazzi stalking the wives and girlfriends of the players.
“There’s a time and a place for everything,” added Keane, before (presumably) joking. “From my own experience when I’ve been away, my own family have not been too keen to meet up with me.”
“Every family to their own, sometimes they are glad to see the back of you. We’ll give the players decent freedom and treat them like men and they have to respect that.”
So, there you go. Let’s just hope this time the players’ partners are not put up next to a strip club, like at Euro 2012.
