Cardiff, United Kingdom: Chris Coleman heaped embarrassment on Welsh football last night after he lost his passport on the eve of a World Cup qualifier.
The Wales head coach was absent from the party which flew out of Cardiff on Thursday as his squad undertook final preparations for Friday night’s match in Macedonia without him.
Coleman’s assistant, Kit Symons, was in charge of the session at the Philip II Arena in Skopje as the former Fulham manager tried to remedy a problem which arose on Wednesday night when he realised he had misplaced his passport.
A decision was taken to have a replacement issued at the passport office in Newport first thing yesterday so Coleman could link up with his team.
However, even though the flight from the Welsh capital was delayed by 90 minutes - due to the booked plane being late
arriving - Coleman was unable to make up that lost time.
He dashed down the M4 by car to make a flight from Heathrow to Vienna, from where he transferred to another flight, landing in the Macedonian capital late last night.
Symons said: “There was a passport issue which needed to be resolved and it has been. It was a minor issue which has been dealt with, so there are no dramas.
“He won’t make training but all the tactical stuff has been done so it won’t be a disruption.
“I’m sure he won’t be too embarrassed. It’s Chris we are talking about. He will just bat it off as if nothing has happened.
“It’s obviously not ideal but that’s what has happened. The players are in good spirits.
“The session was planned a long time ago and it should make no difference whatsoever.
“It’s not going to affect the preparation in any way. We have had a fantastic week.”
Symons said the disruption would not be used as an excuse if Wales lost tonight. Defender and captain Ashley Williams appeared amused by the incident, joking: “I’ve got my passport.
“Most people didn’t realise anything was wrong until we were on the plane.
“I don’t think it is too much of a big deal. It can happen to any of us.
“We had our meeting yesterday and have meetings tonight and tomorrow. I’m sure it won’t be a disruption.”
