Wales legal battle for place in Euro 2004 fails

WALES have turned their attention to World Cup qualifiers this autumn after losing their legal battle for a place in Euro 2004 today.

The Football Association of Wales’ appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport to have Russia expelled from the finals in Portugal was dismissed by a three-man panel.

The Court of Arbitration agreed with UEFA that a 12-month suspension for the player was sufficient punishment.

FAW secretary-general David Collins accepted the decision of the CAS as binding and insisted it was now time to look forward to the start of the World Cup 2006 qualifying campaign this autumn.

“We now rebuild and prepare for the World Cup 2006 qualifiers which start in September,” he said.

“We start away to Azerbaijan, come home to play Northern Ireland, and then of course we play England in October.”