Cardiff City news 03/08/00

Thurs 3rd Aug 2000 - Dai suspended

Cardiff City have this afternoon suspended Dai Thomas aon full pay pending an inquiry into his behaviour in Belgium during Euro 2000. The club are holding their own inquiry and they have contacted the Football League and the Wesh FA about the matter.

Report from TotalWales (4/8/00)
THE Professional Footballers’ Association called on the authorities not to pre-judge Cardiff City forward Dai Thomas, who was allegedly involved in disturbances with England fans at Euro 2000 in Belgium.

The club yesterday suspended Thomas for a second time after new video footage appeared to show him tearing down a police barrier, goading police officers and chanting slogans.

“Inappropriate behaviour by any player is totally against our ethics,” said PFA chairman Barry Horne.

“We are against hooliganism of any sort. But we must not pre-judge the player. And we would take no action against him (if he was found guilty). That’s for other people to do.

“It’s possible for anybody to have been at Euro 2000 as a fan and unwittingly become involved in crowd trouble. Hopefully, that’s what happened in this instance.

“It is very important that players set an example and the PFA is at the forefront in setting standards. That’s what we are all about. We want footballers to be role models.”