Euro 2020: Chris Gunter slams tournament format after Wales were forced to travel over 5,000 miles

Chris Gunter has slammed UEFA for the Euros set-up, with Wales having been forced to travel over 5,000 air miles for just four matches before falling to defeat against Denmark at the last-16 stage.

Wales enjoyed another strong Euros campaign, progressing through their group only to be knocked out by Denmark following a 4-0 thrashing in Amsterdam on Saturday evening.  

And after seeing Wales’ Euro 2020 run come to an end, an emotional Gunter – while paying tribute to the country’s fans for their support – hit out at the ‘joke’ tournament before insisting that his side were ‘written off before a bag of air was kicked’.

Gunter penned this strongly-worded message on Instagram on Sunday

In a lengthy Instagram post, Gunter stated: ‘So the journey of this month has come to an end. We did not deserve that scoreline but who said life was fair. It hurts like mad, but to be hurting with some of my best mates and best muckas I’ve shared a changing room with for years on years makes it a little easier. And to share it with a nation who all feel the same makes it even easier. 

‘Written off before a bag of air was kicked, 3,000 miles from home. Every nation had fans wherever they went, apart from the 350 who broke government rules and bank accounts to be there, you and us deserved more from this joke set up of a tournament, but who said life was fair. 

‘Have a cry, but then smile that we were dining at the top table yet again. And smile even more that we’ll be back, and we’ll be the ones with the full stadium belting out our anthem that we all deserve. 

‘This country is in safe hands with the squad we have believe me, I’d go to the trenches with every member of this team and staff. Be sad, but be proud, there’s only 3million of us, but we are the f****** lucky ones, and don’t you know it. 

‘Suck it up, keep your chin up, we’ll be alright, trust me on that. Genuinely thank you for all the support and love. See you soon. Gunts.’

Wales were thrashed 4-0 by Denmark in their last-16 Euros encounter in Amsterdam

Wales had endured a hectic Euros campaign, having played Switzerland and Turkey miles away from home in Baku – before moving onto Rome to face Italy in their final group encounter.

Rob Page’s side then ended their Euro journey in Amsterdam against Denmark on Saturday evening.

Overall, Wales were forced to embark on a 5,382-mile odyssey for just four matches at the tournament. 

To make matters worse for Wales, both Azerbaijan and Italy were on the UK’s amber list, meaning fans would have to self-isolate for 10 days upon their return. 

And with Baku a 3,000 mile trip from Cardiff, it meant that hardly any Wales fans could attend the opening two matches in Azerbaijan. 

A limited number of Wales fans made the huge trip to Baku for their first two group matches

Only Switzerland had been made to travel further than Wales so far, having covered some 7,245 miles after touching down in Bucharest for Monday’s last-16 meeting with France.

The Swiss, who were also in Group A with Wales, have toured from Zurich to Baku, then to Rome and then back to Baku for their three matches before their 1,240 hop to the Romanian capital. 

Before Wales’ defeat against Denmark, Page spoke out about the demands of so much travel during the first Euros to be staged right across the continent.

He said: ‘It’s not been easy because we’ve had to go to Baku and then travel to Italy. Now we’re going to have to go to Amsterdam.

‘On paper it sounds like a great idea to have it all round Europe. But logistically, it is an absolute nightmare.’