UEFA ban players from having kids on the pitch

One of the most memorable images of this summer's Euro 2016 is that of Real Madrid superstar and Wales attacker Gareth Bale enjoying the company of his daughter on the pitch after his team's win over Northern Ireland in the last 16 of the European Championship.

But not everyone seems to be happy with the scene. European football's governing body, UEFA, has cracked down on players and staff members having their family members on the pitch, labelling the action by the Welsh players as a safety concern. Euro 2016 director Martin Kallen said while the pictures of Wales players' kids going on the pitch are "cute," a stadium is "not the safest place for small kids" and a UEFA spokesperson has confirmed that families should not go on the pitch "for safety reasons."

The decision triggered Welsh FA's President David Griffiths to voice his dismay: "The team is run like a family, and the boys have been together for so long," he was quoted as saying in UK media.

Many users took to social media to denounce the decision, saying that it shows how out of touch with the game UEFA is and that the organization is preventing football players from being portrayed as humans.

UEFA's logic in this case is also being questioned, with some users saying that the organization has much bigger worries than a couple of kids having a kickabout with their fathers.

The decision may well serve as another blow to UEFA's image, after the organization's chief Platini was recently found guilty of accepting an "unlawful payment" and was suspended from footballing activities for eight years.

Some, however, have voiced their support for UEFA's call.

Reports in the UK suggest that the Wales players are set to ignore UEFA's instructions and bring their families on the pitch anyway.