Ashley Williams charged by FA after 'putting coach in headlock' at U12 game

Ex-Wales skipper Ashley Williams has been charged by the Manchester FA after an incident at a junior football match involving his son.

The Manchester FA told Mirror Football on Wednesday evening: "Following an investigation, Mr Williams has been charged by Manchester FA with an alleged breach of FA Rule E3 - Improper Conduct (including violent conduct and threatening and/or abusive language/behaviour, and has responded to the charge requesting a personal hearing."

As reported by the Daily Mail, the 38-year-old has been accused of attacking an opposition coach at an under-12 match in Manchester. It's claimed he entered the field of play to confront an individual who was involved in a row with his son and an opposition player.

It's alleged Williams acted furiously by grappling the man and refusing to let him go. The incident was seen by eyewitnesses and the aftermath was caught on camera, with footage apparently showing Williams being dragged away by other parents.

A spokesman for Williams has told the Daily Mail - who obtained the video footage - that he was acting in self-defence. Williams is reportedly set to defend the charge, as '45 eyewitnesses' are prepared to back up the former Premier League star's version of events.

The alleged incident happened during a fixture between Corinthians and TSC United at Manchester's Wright-Robinson College on September 18. It's believed the game was abandoned due to the chaotic scenes. Williams' son plays for TSC United.

Mirror Football have contacted Williams' representatives and the East Manchester Junior Football League for comment.

Williams played for the likes of Everton, Stoke and Bristol City during his successful career, winning the League Cup with Swansea in 2013. He earned 86 senior caps for Wales and memorably captained his country to the semi-finals of Euro 2016 in France.

Williams retired from playing in January 2021 and has since become a pundit for the BBC. It's claimed he appeared on an episode of Football Focus after the BBC were made aware about the incident. A BBC spokesperson told the Daily Mail: "This is a personal matter for Ashley and the sport's governing body."

A witness told the Daily Mail: "Williams then came on and completely lost it. He put a coach in a headlock. We'd never seen anything like it. People were pleading with him to stop. Some of the children were crying and the coach's family were there.

"Some parents eventually managed to get him off him but he kept breaking free only to be held back again. It was utterly disgraceful behaviour from someone who should know better."

A spokesperson for Williams told the Daily Mail: "Ashley had been defending himself. We have 45 witnesses - including people associated with the two teams who were about to use the pitch - who will back up our version of events and we will defend Ashley vigorously."

The EMJFL released a statement on Tuesday to remind clubs, players and parents to behave themselves after an under-7s team was expelled due to an unsavoury incident.

It read: "Rest assured, if these incidents do occur, we will take the same action, we will no longer tolerate this sort of behaviour. I am asking everyone connected with our league to help stamp out the sort of behaviour outlined above and once again make the EMJFL one of the best and safest leagues for children to enjoy their football journey."

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