Wales's language disputes are certainly nothing to those of Belgium, where personal relations between the Flemish and Walloon communities can be rancorous, or of Quebec, where English-speakers have left in droves. (In fact, the English continue to come to Wales in substantial numbers, something many language activists deplore.) Even those who do not speak the language say they are proud of it.

ECONOMIST: The Welsh language: Patriot games | The

Wales, Ireland and Northern Ireland have expressed an interest in joining England, Italy, Holland and Belgium in the competition, which would be played in two groups of four with a one-off final in the spring of 2009 and play-off matches for the other positions.

BBC: SPORT | Football | Non League | Euro Trophy event to be expanded