A FORMER Swansea City legend that was accused of “trying to kill Robin van Persie” has revealed that the striker told him to “f*** off” when he apologised.
Ex-Wales defender Ashley Williams felt the full wrath of Sir Alex Ferguson when he was involved in the controversial incident for the Swans against Manchester United in 2012.
Near the end of the 1-1 Premier League draw at the Liberty Stadium Van Persie had been fouled by Williams’ team-mate Nathan Dyer on the edge of the box.
Referee Michael Oliver awarded the free-kick, but Williams, stood above the floored Dutchman, then blasted the ball straight at him.
It struck Van Persie, from point-blank range, straight on the head as a huge melee erupted with the United ace grabbing Williams’ shirt during the angry scenes, leading to him being booked.
Ferguson called for the Welshman to be banned after the game, blasting: “It was absolutely deliberate.
READ MORE ON FOOTBALL
POWER UP
Get £40 in free bets when you stake £10 with Paddy Power
RED DEVIL IN THE DETAIL
I worked under Ratcliffe, his takeover will be great for Man Utd
“The whistle has gone, the game has stopped and he has done that right in front of the referee – he could have killed the lad. It was a disgraceful act.”
Williams' then boss Michael Laudrup was fuming with Fergie’s terminology, saying: “There were a lot of players there and I didn’t see it.
“I think Ferguson didn’t mean killing him literally. Things happen in a game.”
Now Williams, who retired in 2021 after spells at Everton and Bristol City, has opened up about the whole incident.
Most read in Football
RASH BAN
Rashford’s ban length confirmed as Uefa make decision after red card vs Copenhagen
PHYSIO ROOM
Injuries & suspensions update for Gameweek 13: Bowen uncertain, Haaland hopeful
BALO HORROR
Mario Balotelli smashes £100k car into wall before ‘refusing breathalyser’
THE DEVIL’S OWN
Inside the hotel owned by Man Utd legends that has a rooftop football pitch
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS
And he revealed that Van Persie was having none of his apology afterwards for the accidental incident.
Williams told the Stretford Paddock podcast: “I knew it was out of order, I didn't really mean it.
“I've said it so many times, the ball has rolled, his head was there – and it was like ‘oh’. I had no issue with him in the game, no issue with him before I thought he was a great player.
“He wasn't someone I didn't like. I didn't mean to hit his head but I was surprised when I hit it. And then I was like ‘oh s***, I've hit his head, he's fuming.'”
Williams, 39 and who now works as a TV pundit, then said that he tried to make amends in the reverse fixture that season at Old Trafford.
He added: “After the [first] game I was like ‘whatever’.
“The next time I played him, the ball was down the other end and I was like ‘sorry about that from before, I didn't mean it’.
“And he was like ‘f*** off’. And I was like ‘sound’. I'd react the same.”
Van Persie went on to score 26 Premier League goals, and 30 in all competitions, that season as he fired United to the title in what would be Ferguson’s final campaign in charge before retirement.
MAN UTD NEWS LIVE: Stay up to date with all of the latest transfer and takeover news from Old Trafford
Source: Read Full Article
