Williams escapes FA rap over van Persie hit row
Source: AFP |
December 26, 2012, Wednesday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
SWANSEA defender Ashley Williams will not face a Football Association charge after Manchester United boss Alex Ferguson slammed the Wales star for kicking the ball into Robin van Persie's head.
Williams earned a stinging rebuke from Ferguson after Sunday's 1-1 draw at the Liberty Stadium following the second half clash with van Persie.
The United forward was lying prone on the turf following a foul when Williams kicked the ball into the back of the Dutchman's head.
Ferguson called on the Football Association to ban the Swansea centre back, who was booked for the incident by referee Michael Oliver.
"He (van Persie) could have been killed. Williams should be banned for a long time, Ferguson said.
"It was absolutely deliberate. The whistle has gone, the game has stopped and he has done that right in front of the referee. It was a disgraceful act."
But it is believed the FA will not instigate disciplinary procedures against the 18-year-old, who denied malicious intent. Williams, however, was backed by Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers, who was his boss at Swansea until the end of last season.
"I think more has been made of it than what it actually was," Rodgers said. "When you slow it down and look at it 20 times it does not look good for Ashley. But I know the player well and it is just that split-second when you can see he is trying to clear the ball and unfortunately hits van Persie right on the back of his head.
"Of course, it looks dangerous but knowing Ashley he won't have meant it, knowing his character that won't have been intentional."
Wigan manager Roberto Martinez, who signed Williams in 2008, admitted he could understand Ferguson's reaction but did not believe the player acted out of malicious intent.
"If you see one of your players with a bang on the back of the head it is really dangerous and it can have bad consequences. You can understand that," Martinez said. "I signed Ashley Williams for Swansea and I know his character inside out. I can guarantee you without even looking at the incident that he is not a nasty footballer.
"He is a winner and fully committed, a leader and a captain."
Williams earned a stinging rebuke from Ferguson after Sunday's 1-1 draw at the Liberty Stadium following the second half clash with van Persie.
The United forward was lying prone on the turf following a foul when Williams kicked the ball into the back of the Dutchman's head.
Ferguson called on the Football Association to ban the Swansea centre back, who was booked for the incident by referee Michael Oliver.
"He (van Persie) could have been killed. Williams should be banned for a long time, Ferguson said.
"It was absolutely deliberate. The whistle has gone, the game has stopped and he has done that right in front of the referee. It was a disgraceful act."
But it is believed the FA will not instigate disciplinary procedures against the 18-year-old, who denied malicious intent. Williams, however, was backed by Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers, who was his boss at Swansea until the end of last season.
"I think more has been made of it than what it actually was," Rodgers said. "When you slow it down and look at it 20 times it does not look good for Ashley. But I know the player well and it is just that split-second when you can see he is trying to clear the ball and unfortunately hits van Persie right on the back of his head.
"Of course, it looks dangerous but knowing Ashley he won't have meant it, knowing his character that won't have been intentional."
Wigan manager Roberto Martinez, who signed Williams in 2008, admitted he could understand Ferguson's reaction but did not believe the player acted out of malicious intent.
"If you see one of your players with a bang on the back of the head it is really dangerous and it can have bad consequences. You can understand that," Martinez said. "I signed Ashley Williams for Swansea and I know his character inside out. I can guarantee you without even looking at the incident that he is not a nasty footballer.
"He is a winner and fully committed, a leader and a captain."
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