Wolves, Sheffield United, and Brighton men affected by international administration error

Lewys Benjamin was prevented from making his bow on the international stage for Wales following an administration error.

Benjamin, along with Rubin Colwill, Owen Beck, Sheffield United’s Owen Hampson, Josh Farrell and Brighton & Hove Albion defender Ed Turns had to watch on from the stands, as all were deemed ineligible to play for their crucial EURO 2025 qualifier.

Wales were playing at Newport County's Rodney Parade, and knew that avoiding defeat against Czechia, would at least guarantee them a place in November's play-offs. It’s out of their hands now however, as they suffered a 2-1 defeat, despite a goal from Shrewsbury Town’s Luca Hoole in stoppage time.

A win would have potentially given them automatic qualification, but now their fate is out of their own hands. They must now hope that bottom side Lithuania hold Czechia to a draw, if they are to take part.

Speaking before the match, former Leeds United midfielder, and under-21's boss Matty Jones said to the BBC: “There's been an administrative error and issue we've been dealing with the last number of hours which has led to key players like Rubin and Owen being pulled out of our squad.

“It is really deflating, but we’ve spoken about siege mentality and making this a challenge for the rest of the squad because we’ve managed without those players when they’ve been successful to go to the senior squad.

“It’s about us learning as a staffing group and an association and there will be a vigorous review to find the answers and to make sure this doesn’t happen again.”

Benjamin could have stood a good chance of playing, as first-choice goalkeeper Eddie Beach was injured. Swansea City goalkeeper Evan Watts made his first cap, and Wales had to do without a back-up goalkeeper on the bench.

The 18-year-old is a three-time Wales under-19 international, and is Wolves' first choice goalkeeper for their Premier League 2 team. He has played in all six of their matches, featuring most recently in the 4-2 win over Everton.

The most notable absentee was Rubin Colwill, who has made over 100 appearances for Cardiff City, and appeared for Wales at the 2022 World Cup. Beck has also been playing in the Championship this season for Blackburn Rovers, and had dropped down after being called-up to the senior squad.

Despite their defeat, their international camp is not yet over. Wales’s under-21s have a friendly out in Slovakia on Tuesday, October 15.