Ferguson calls for Williams ban

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson has called for action against Swansea’s Ashley Williams over a clash with Robin van Persie.

The pair were involved in a heated exchange toward the end of Sunday’s 1-1 draw between the sides after Williams kicked the ball in frustration following a free kick and struck Van Persie in the head from close range.

Ferguson afterwards claimed his star striker ‘could have been killed’ as a result of the incident, which saw both players booked, calling for the FA to ban Williams while also slamming what he deemed a ‘shocking performance’ from referee Michael Oliver.

“Well it was a foul on Van Persie, a clear foul,” the United boss told Sky Sports after the game.

“But then again, the referee has had one of those days and not given us anything. He had a shocking performance today.

“I know he is a young referee but I was disappointed with that performance. The Van Persie situation, he clearly sees the incident.

“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.”

Ferguson added of the overall performance, in which Michu cancelled out Patrice Evra’s opener: “We’ve thrown two points away really. We absolutely battered them. It’s unbelievable that we haven’t won the match.

“Great performance in the second half. If I have one criticism it would be that a poor final ball at times let us down but I have no criticism of the performance. It was very good.

“At the start of the season we would have taken that but today we have to look at that as a lost two points.”

Swansea counterpart Michael Laudrup was in a more positive frame of mind, praising his side’s attitude throughout the contest.

The result saw Swansea take Premier League points off United for the first time and Laudrup was eager to talk up his men’s display.

“It was very important result, for a club like Swansea in only the second season in the Premiership,” Laudrup told BBC Sport.

“It was difficult and for the 10 minutes after they scored, we struggled a bit but we came back into it.

“They had the bigger chances, but we had the spirit and the players really wanted a result.”