Sports Minister UEFA 'no-show' misses the net for international football in Wales

4.02.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 19th Apr 2007

Commenting on Sport Minister Alun Pugh's no-show at the UEFA dinner in Cardiff this week, Welsh Lib Dem sports spokesperson Eleanor Burnham said: "I know relations between the FAW and the Labour Ministers are not warm, but it's a poor show that the Minister for sport has missed such an important international event.

"Football is one of the world's major sports and in the Millennium Stadium we have one of Europe's most impressive stadia. This should have been an ideal occasion to lobby the decision makers of European football about bringing more major football finals to our National Stadium. Maybe even twisting some arms to get the European Championship here in future.

"I understand that sometime things happen which prevent people attending events, but given that so many of the cabinet live in or around Cardiff I'm amazed no other minister could fulfil the obligation that Mr Pugh had accepted so many months before. I'm sure John Griffiths did a good job, but I find it amazing that none of the Labour Ministers were willing or able to make it.

"Alun Pugh has shown little positive outlook to any of his portfolio in the last 12 months. As a minister he has fallen out with every major cultural organisation in Wales. If the polls are to be believed, and he is struggling to retain his seat, I'm sure he won't be greatly missed by the arts or sports communities.

"Labour no-shows are becoming a regular feature of this election. I've been to a number of hustings across North Wales where Labour have failed to turn up. They are clearly running scared."

Ends/diwedd