Have you ever wondered why Wales tend to line-up in a lop-sided formation as they get their picture taken before kick-off?
Well, it’s actually a premeditated plan that has become somewhat of a superstition in camp.
The positioning of the team photo ahead of Wales’ European Championship opener against Switzerland on Saturday afternoon was, once again, a big talking on social media as Gareth Bale awkwardly looked out of frame.
Wales’ continue their traditional team line up photos #WAL 😂 pic.twitter.com/afexpSvpz3
— COPA90 (@Copa90) June 12, 2021
The thing is, this bizarre line-up routine has become a regular feature ahead of tournament fixtures. So why do they do it?
Joe Ledley, who has made 77 appearances for Wales since 2005, revealed all in a 2016 interview.
“We were just not very good at them,” he explained. “At first we didn’t look into it but then gradually a few photos got together and it was awful, so we just thought we may as well keep it the same.
“It’s been lucky for us too. It’s not really superstitious but I don’t think we will have a proper photo.”
Wales’ squad photos are chaotic 😅 pic.twitter.com/K2QVzv5iMG
— ESPN UK (@ESPNUK) June 12, 2021
Wales lineup pictures are chaos 😂 pic.twitter.com/DAIZJKOIPP
— B/R Football (@brfootball) June 12, 2021
Ledley also claimed there was even team meetings amongst the Wales squad about which pose to use on matchday.
📸 | 🏴0-0🇦🇱
Positioned this way so you can see #TheRedWall in the team photo too! ♥️#WAL | #TogetherStronger | #WALALB pic.twitter.com/S8SrQpNbeG
— Wales 🏴 (@Cymru) June 5, 2021
Wales midfielder Jonny Williams later backed up Ledley’s claims.
“I wasn’t there at the last game, but it looked on the TV like it’s got worse. I’ve been involved in a couple but they were by accident, to be fair.
“I just don’t think we’re very good at them and now we’re just doing it for banter I think, but I don’t know how much further we can go….unless we leave Wayne Hennessey on his own at the back!”
 |
| Image credit: PA |
In terms of the full-time result from Wales’ opener against Switzerland on Saturday afternoon, Breel Embolo opened the scoring for Vladimir Petković’ side in the 49th minute before Kieffer Moore’s bullet header earned The Dragons a point.