'It just makes it worse' - Wales boss Rob Page says fourth official apologised for Liverpool starlet Neco Williams' red card in France defeat
The youngster was dismissed midway through the first half of the defeat in Nice in controversial circumstances
By Tom Coleman
Thursday 3rd June 2021
Neco Williams of Wales leaves the pitch after being sent off
Wales boss Rob Page claims he received an apology from the fourth official after Neco Williams was controversially sent off in the friendly defeat to France.
The Liverpool youngster was given his marching orders midway through the first half after referee Luis Godhino deemed he had blocked Karim Benzema's shot with his arm on the goal line, just moments after Danny Ward had produced a stunning save to deny Paul Pogba.
Benzema missed the resulting penalty, before goals from Kylian Mbappe, Antoine Griezmann and Ousmane Dembele eased the hosts to victory.
And Page, who will nevertheless have plenty of positives to take despite the defeat, insists the pivotal decision to send off Williams was the wrong one, adding that he even received an apology from fourth official Iancu Ioan Vasilica.
"It was very, very harsh," he told Sky Sports after the game when questioned about the decision.
"We've looked back at it at half-time and the fourth official actually apologised to me at the start of the second half, which probably makes it a little bit worse.
"But it's harsh. Any defender that jumps up to clear the ball, his hands come up in a natural position and it's impossible for him to do anything and it's hit his hand.
"He's not done it intentionally.
"That absolutely changes the course of the game and absolutely spoils it.
"Having said that. I thought we started the game OK. I thought we created a couple of chances. We had to make a tweak to the formation before the game started because we saw their line-up.
"They played with a diamond, 4-4-2 instead of what we thought they were gonna play. So Neco's position changed slightly and I thought we dealt with it and started really, really well.
"So it's disappointing, but a lot positives to take out of it."
Manchester United winger Daniel James, who once again produced a solid performance for his country, agreed.
He added: "I'm not one to talk about referees, but it's a friendly game and he's taken 10 minutes to look at it and decided it's clear and obvious. I don't know how it's clear and obvious as he's two yards out.
"I'm not even sure it's a penalty. We've been told as players and as a team that if he's in a natural position and he can't do anything about it then it's not a penalty.
"I think even their players were saying 'don't send him off'.
"Giving them a penalty and red card, you might as well give them two goals.
"They've got to do their job on the pitch, but if that happens when we play Switzerland, we'll be very gutted and a lot more angry than we were tonight."
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