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Former Wales footballer and now BBC TV pundit Ashley Williams
Photo: Tim Goode / imago images / PA Images
Former Welsh football captain Ashley Williams allegedly assaulted the opposing coach at his son's U-12 football game in Manchester, according to the Daily Mail.
Williams was accused of improper conduct during a children's game by a regional branch of the English Football Association FA, as also reported by the »Guardian«.
The 38-year-old former Swansea City and Everton defender has therefore requested an in-person hearing and will challenge the charges.
After an unexplained argument between Williams' son and an opposing player, Williams stormed onto the field, as reported by the "Daily Mail".
A coach of the opposing team tried to mediate.
According to witnesses, Williams attacked the man, put him in a headlock and refused to let go.
Pictures taken shortly after show Williams being restrained while the children and their families look on.
The incident is said to have taken place on September 18.
On the part of the ex-soccer player, the events were evaluated differently.
A spokesman for Williams told the Daily Mail: 'Ashley was attacked and defended herself.
We have 45 witnesses - including people associated with the two teams that attempted to use the field - who will corroborate our version of events, and we will vigorously defend Ashley."
Williams, who has played 86 times for Wales, retired as an active footballer in 2021.
He is currently working as a TV expert for the BBC and, according to the Daily Mail, will also be used at the World Cup in Qatar.
It is assumed that Williams will remain on the air, a BBC spokesman is quoted there as saying.
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