Ex-Prem star Ashley Williams 'loses it' putting coach in headlock at son's U12s game
Former Swansea and Everton defender Ashley Williams is said to have 'completely lost it' before allegedly attacking an opposition coach at his son's Under-12s fixture
Former Wales captain and Premier League regular Ashley Williams has been filmed 'completely losing his head' at his son's Under-12s game.
It's alleged he attacked an opposition coach as he watched a game the former Everton favourite's son was playing in - before the ensuing chaos saw the game abandoned.
In video footage seen by Daily Star Sport, the 38-year-old went onto the pitch to confront an opposition coach off the back of an incident involving his boy.
The Daily Mail report how Williams 'grappled with the man in front of his own son and wife' putting him in a headlock and initially refused to let go.
His spokesperson claims he was defending himself after an assault.
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The ex-Swansea and Everton centre-back has subsequently been charged by the FA with improper conduct and violent, threatening behaviour.
Other parents at the game dragged the BBC pundit Williams away, after which he tried to march back towards the coach and go in for more.
Witnesses are said to have seen Williams continuing to abuse two other coaches. But his representative said he was simply defending himself.
His spokesperson said: "Ashley had been assaulted and was 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 clash during the East Manchester Junior Football League game was reported to both the league and the Football association, who have since taken action.
BBC were made aware of the incident before Williams appeared on Football Focus, with a spokesperson saying this week: "This is a personal matter for Ashley and the sport’s governing body."
Williams, 38, called time on his playing career back in 2020 having played for Swansea and Everton in the top flight before joining Stoke and then Bristol City.
Having been born in Wolverhampton, he qualified for the Wales national team through his maternal grandfather and made 86 appearances between 2008 and 2019.
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