Alex Ferguson claims Robin van Persie ‘lucky to be alive’

Published on 24/12/2012 00:49

MANCHESTER United manager Alex Ferguson said Robin Van Persie was “lucky to be alive” after claiming the Dutchman was blasted “deliberately” in the head with the ball from point-blank range by Swansea’s Ashley Williams.

Ferguson called for defender Williams to receive a long ban following the second-half incident during yesterday’s 1-1 Premier League draw at the Liberty Stadium.

Van Persie was on the ground after being fouled by Nathan Dyer on the edge of the box when Williams hacked at a loose ball which cannoned into the striker’s head from less than a metre away.

The striker reacted angrily, prompting a short melee with pushing and shoving from opposing players before Van Persie and Williams were both booked.

“Robin van Persie is lucky to be alive. It was a disgraceful act from their player today and he should be banned by the FA. Robin could have had a broken neck,” a seething Ferguson told Sky Sports.

“He could have been killed. I think the FA has got to look into it – irrespective of him getting a yellow card, he should be banned for a long time, because that was one of the most dangerous things I have seen on a football pitch in a long time.
Absolutely deliberate. The whistle had gone, the game stopped and he has done that right in front of the referee. He could
really have killed the lad.”

Williams played down the incident, saying it was an accident.

“I just cleared the ball with frustration and unfortunately it hit him in the head and he got a bit angry about it,” he said. “Everything got a bit heated but it was all right in the end.”

There was no such controversy at Stamford Bridge as Chelsea ran riot against Paul Lambert’s young Aston Villa side, winning 8-0.

The in-form Fernando Torres got them going in the third minute, with David Luiz
striking a brilliant free-kick and Branislav Ivanovic nodding in before the break. Frank Lampard, on his 500th Premier League start, made it four, with further goals from Ramires (two), Oscar’s penalty and Eden Hazard, while Lucas Piazon missed a spot-kick.