FAW to review Bale security

The Football Association of Wales is to review security around the national team after Macedonia fans ran onto the pitch and approached Gareth Bale in Friday night's World Cup qualifier in Skopje.

Bale, an unused substitute as Wales' slim hopes of qualifying for Brazil next year suffered a blow following a surprise 2-1 defeat, was warming up at half-time when the incident occurred where two Macedonian fans appeared to try to hug the forward before he pushed them away.

The FAW pointed the finger at Macedonian authorities for allowing the incident to happen at the Philip II Arena, but will look at their own security in a bid to make sure something similar does not happen in the future.

"Security within the stadium was up to the Macedonian authorities so they should have prevented the fans going onto the pitch and up to Gareth like that," a spokesman told BBC Sport.

"We will need to look to see if we need to change anything about our security arrangements which...have always been strong."

The incident comes at the end of a memorable week for Bale, who became the world's most expensive player when he joined Spanish giants Real Madrid from Tottenham for 100million euros (£85.3million).

Bale has been regarded as one of the world's most talented footballers and the FAW spokesman added the 24-year-old was a hot commodity in Skopje.

"It was not just the fans, but it was radio and TV people wanting access... everybody wants a picture of him," he said.