FIFA ARE LOOKING into an incident involving Ireland’s Robbie Brady and Wales skipper Ashley Williams during last night’s World Cup qualifier.
The Boys in Green claimed a place in the play-off thanks to their courageous 1-0 victory in Cardiff, with James McClean finding the winner in the second half.
Minutes after the goal, Brady was shoved to the ground by Everton defender Williams and the Dubliner then appeared to brush his head off the back of his opponent after getting back to his feet.
FIFA are investigating this headbutt from Brady last night - would be awful if a ban materialises but technically it's a headbutt. #IREvWAL pic.twitter.com/Di2mACeEWY
— Seán O'Regan (@SeanOR95) October 10, 2017
And world football’s governing body have confirmed to Sky Sports that they are investigating an alleged “headbutt” by the Burnley wide man.
It would be extremely harsh if they charged Brady as there appeared to be very little to the off-the-ball incident, but it will be a worry for Ireland manager Martin O’Neill as he would be without a key man for next month’s play-off if found guilty.
Speaking on Sky Sports last night, ex-Wales and Liverpool striker Craig Bellamy played it down — saying there is “no chance” Brady deserves a ban.
Pretty innocuous to be fair.
@Paul Surlis: it’s FIFA they will routinely punish innocuous instead of corruption
@Paul Surlis: Really f-ing stupid though
@Séamus Ó Lochlainn: the ban should be for the stupidity of the attempted head rub to the armpit
Dear god if thats a suspension ill have lost all faith in the game
@.: It will be even tho it’s nothing and in fairness to Williams he didn’t make a meal of it.
@Barry Newell: he didn’t even notice it by the looks of it.
@Joe Kennedy: might depend on who we draw. If it’s someone FIFA want at World Cup he’ll be suspended
It was a nod than a headbutt, minimal if any contact, and the player on the receiving end didn’t even notice. They will ban him for 4 games.
Why bother doing it at all
He wiped his nose in his Welsh jersey. That’s all.
Go on Robbie
Here comes the fifa crapola. Favoring the bigger teams. We ended up with more points than most in Second place in the qualifyers and yet will probably end up playing Portugal or Italy, how is that fair?
@Cathal Leonard: no we didn’t….
@Cathal Leonard: what are you on about? No we didn’t
@Cathal Leonard: We got through to the play-offs on the skin of our teeth you eejit
@Cathal Leonard: we did have two extra game against Moldova.
Well there was clearly intent. What a dope like. Heat of moment I suppose.
@Fionn Falcao: what intent? To gently brush off his back? It’s very clear he wasn’t going for his head or something dangerous.. nothing to see there to be honest
He tripped . Plan as
Hope he doesn’t get banned for nodding
That’s one of the most vicious shoulder butts I’ve seen in quite some time. Williams looking to be walking around today. He’s one tough bstid
Barely a tap on the back…
If anyone should be investigated its Williams! What a joke.
FFS he could have died.
Seriously??? Who in the name of God suggested that be investigated as a head-butt???
That is simply ridiculous.
Who is pushing for Brady to be banned for this alleged crime? Is it the ref or some other FIFA official, or is it the Welsh team? I don’t see any malice in Brady’s actions.
@Jane Aelst: I’d imagine it was the linesman? ….
Repeal the headbutt
If Brady’s is punishment why shouldn’t Williams be,
Are they going to investigate Williams who could be charged with assault off the field….
If Brady gets punished, why shouldn’t Williams,
Ridiculousness if anything is done with this. Williams didn’t even break stride
Ah ffs he barely touched him
Fcuk all ref poor old Seamus Coleman
The Welsh lad didn’t seem to know what had happened so clearly there was no force in it but if FIFA decide that there was intent, and it’s hard to argue against that, then it will be a ban. Silly from Brady.
Stupid by Brady but not dangerous or violent, if he gets a ban hopefully he can appeal and say he tripped or something, shame if he does miss out
Obviously just a sneeze!!!
Fair play to him