Who’s in charge of England v Wales?

THE security shambles that is Euro 2016 includes the French authorities not knowing in advance of the tournament who is in overall charge of England’s game against Wales today.

The question was raised at the summit held in Lens ahead of the competition attended by toplevel delegations from both countries, UEFA, French police and the local authorities. But in answer the Euro hosts merely shrugged their shoulders — signalling a complete lack of knowledge about who is responsible for what.

It is an astonishing example of the lethargy and lack of planning over the hooligan crisis.

The FA’s own security organisation normally can’t be faulted. But there are claims from insiders that transport arrangements for the FA party after the opening game against Russia were ‘chaotic’. There was confusion as to which vehicle they should get in to depart the ground and return to the England hotel in Marseille.

There are also allegations from eye-witnesses at the pick-up point that English football’s two leading officials, FA chairman Greg Dyke and chief executive Martin Glenn, were among those left behind by the convoy leaving the Stadio Velodrome with tensions at their highest following Russian thugs attacking England fans.

It is also said the pair, who have led the response to the appalling scenes around England’s draw with Russia, had to phone for a car. But an FA spokeswoman denied that had been the case, saying a car was ready for Dyke and Glenn when they were leaving.