GIGGS IN RUSSIAN RUMBLE

Last updated : 18 November 2003 By editor

UEFA have not ruled out the prospect of Ryan Giggs being banned for the second leg of Wales' Euro 2004 play-off with Russia - but it appears unlikely because of the timescale involved.

The Russian Football Union insist they have forwarded a tape of the first leg in Moscow to UEFA, with a view to them looking at what the Russians claim was an elbow by Giggs on full-back Vadim Evseev.

A UEFA spokesman told the Press Association:

"We haven't yet received the video evidence. I think if we did not receive it until tomorrow afternoon it would be too close [to the match]. There is no set limit on how long reviewing the evidence takes but first we would need to decide if there is a case to answer."

A statement on UEFA's website confirmed:

"UEFA is to investigate allegations that Wales winger Ryan Giggs elbowed a Russian opponent during Saturday's UEFA Euro 2004 play-off first leg in Moscow."

Wales soccer bosses insist they will "vigorously defend" Ryan Giggs from any attempt by UEFA to throw him out of the Euro 2004 play-off second leg in Cardiff.

Ceri Stennett, FA of Wales spokesman said:

"We will vigorously defend Ryan if the situation arises. We would certainly not sit back and just accept a ban.We are very disappointed that the Russians have taken this action because there were many things at the match in Moscow we were not happy with.”

"Our players Paul Jones and Danny Gabbidon were the targets of bottles and flares thrown onto the pitch, and we would certainly mention the terrible tackle on Ryan and the fact the Russian player involved clearly threw himself to the ground feigning injury.”