FORMER Aston Villa striker Dean Saunders is facing his own penalty during the Euros – a hefty parking fine at Birmingham Airport because he didn’t think Wales would make it through to the quarter finals.
The 90s Holte End hero and Welsh international is currently in France as part of the BBC’s punditry team, giving his expert opinion on the Welsh team’s performances – performances which have taken them through to a quarter final clash with Europe’s highest ranked team and one of the tournament favourites Belgium on Friday night.
But he only parked his car in the short stay at the airport as he didn’t think the Wales squad would progress this far.
And now he faces a hefty bill for overstaying his welcome at the airport car park – and the problem of running out of clean clothes.
“I tell you how confident I was with Wales,” Saunders told Radio Five Live.
“I parked in the short-stay car park at Birmingham Airport two weeks ago.
“I took a little suitcase that fitted onto the plane so I’ve run out of clothes and now I’m going to have a £1,000 bill when I get back to Birmingham because they charge you a fortune.
“That’s how confident I was and I’m still here two weeks later.
“But I’m just happy to be here. Going into this game on Friday it’s unbelievable to think of Wales being in the quarter-finals. Three wins more and we’ve won Euro 2016.”
Entering into the spirit of the home nation’s success, however, Birmingham Airport has said that if Wales win the tournament they will waive Mr Saunders’ parking charge – although the problem of clean clothes is his own.”
