Soccer

UEFA asks players to keep their children off the grass

Associated Press
Published | Updated

Children of Wales' players play on the pitch after the Euro 2016 quarterfinal soccer match between Wales and Belgium, at the Pierre Mauroy stadium in Villeneuve d’Ascq, near Lille, France, Friday, July 1, 2016. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn) (The Associated Press)

Wales' James Chester, left, and Wales' Hal Robson Kanu play with their children on the pitch at the end of the Euro 2016 quarterfinal soccer match between Wales and Belgium, at the Pierre Mauroy stadium in Villeneuve d’Ascq, near Lille, France, Friday, July 1, 2016. Wales won 3-1. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner) (The Associated Press)

UEFA says it is cute but not safe for players' children to join in post-match celebrations at the European Championship.

The scenes of toddlers in full Wales kit joining their dads on the pitch after another Euro 2016 win has added to the surprise semifinalist's feel-good story.

However, UEFA has asked for no more on-field family scenes when Wales plays Portugal in Lyon on Wednesday.

UEFA's tournament director Martin Kallen says: "It is a European Championship not a family party."

Kallen says "a stadium is not the most safe place for small kids" if fans invaded the field, and with stadium staff operating machinery on the playing surface.

The UEFA official said: "It is nice pictures. We are not 100 percent against it but we are cautious."