WHEN it was announced last week that the Wales football team’s Euro 2016 will not be honoured at the Eisteddfod because not enough of them speak Welsh, the reaction to the perceived ‘snub’ of Chris Coleman’s boys was somewhat incendiary.

People were lining up in their droves to take a pop at the Eisteddfod or the Gorsedd, or whatever Welsh speaking tyrant had the brass-necked cheek to ignore the achievement of Gareth Bale and the rest of the men in red

Plaid AM Bethan Jenkins tweeted, “I disagree with this decision. This was a golden opportunity for the Eisteddfod to expand its appeal to non-Welsh speaking Welsh people."

Labour AM Ann Jones also took to Twitter and said, “ So wrong of Archdruid not to honour the Welsh football team at national eisteddfod.”

The Archdruid Geraint Lloyd Owen responded to the accusations of elitism, insularism and linguistic discrimination by telling the BBC, "If they can’t speak Welsh I don’t see how we can welcome them in [Gorsedd], because Welsh is the biggest, strongest weapon we have as a nation and without it, we have nothing.”

The former Caernarfon Town FC chairman added, “You’ll never please everyone and it would be much better to reward those quiet people who work for their rural communities or wherever, and taken the burden to make sure things go on, and Welsh is used in the community."

In amongst the fury and inflammatory headlines, the National Eisteddfod explained that no member of the Wales Euro 2016 football squad was nominated for a Gorsedd award, because the nominations close in February, months before the Euro championships began, and it is not possible to reopen nominations once the deadline has passed.

It was also pointed out that the Gorsedd of Bards is a separate organisation to the National Eisteddfod and the team were actually invited to come along to the Monmouthshire and District Eisteddfod.

The Eisteddfod spokesperson said, “There have been calls for the Gorsedd of the Bards to honour the Welsh football team at this year’s Eisteddfod, following their success at the Euros over the summer.

“We are very proud of the success of the team, and they were invited to come along to the Monmouthshire and District Eisteddfod.

“The Gorsedd of Bards is a separate organisation to the National Eisteddfod, although there is a close relationship between the two bodies. The Eisteddfod plays no role in the nominating and honouring of individuals, or in any decision made by the Gorsedd Board.

“Like everyone and everything else, the Gorsedd has its rules and only Gorsedd members have the right to nominate or second individuals to be honoured, and of course, it is essential that the person nominated speaks Welsh.

“The process for this year’s nominations closed at the end of February, and in accordance with Gorsedd rules, it is not possible to re-open nominations once the deadline has passed.

Gorsedd officials have no right to present any honours outside this system, as the Honours Panel is responsible for deciding which applications are eligible.

“No member of the Welsh football team were nominated for the Gorsedd and no member of the team was refused the honour.

“Over the coming months Gorsedd members will be able to consider and nominate individuals who have made a great contribution to the nation, either over many years of recently. We will see who will be nominated and honoured at the Anglesey National Eisteddfod next year.”

To date, there have been no sightings of Gareth Bale or Aaron Ramsey on Castle Meadows, but if you do happen to spot any of Chris Coleman’s boys on the Maes, take a pic and get in touch.