Manchester United's Robin van Persie looks dejected
Ouch: Manchester United’s Robin van Persie recovers from a ball to the head (Picture: Action Images)

Swansea defender Ashley Williams will face no action from the Football Association for kicking a ball at the head of Manchester United’s Robin van Persie.

The FA has also indicated that Sir Alex Ferguson will not face censure despite his outrageous claim that the Dutchman ‘could’ve been killed’.

A host of football’s top names, including Wayne Rooney, have since leapt to the defence of Williams in the aftermath of the 1-1 draw at the Liberty Stadium.

But reflecting on the incident, Van Persie’s Manchester United team-mate Rooney played down the clash, saying: ‘I think it’s one of those things. The whistle’s gone, the defender has gone to clear and it’s hit him in the head. I think [it was] probably the right decision from the referee [to only book Williams].’

Swansea City's Ashley Williams is pushed by Manchester United's Robin Van Persie
Swansea City’s Ashley Williams is pushed by Manchester United’s Robin Van Persie (Picture: REUTERS)

QPR boss Harry Redknapp, speaking ahead of his side’s Boxing Day clash with West Bromwich Albion, scoffed at Fergie’s overblown view of the Williams incident, and said: ‘I don’t see how he was going to be killed.

‘He kicked the ball at him. I have seen worse things on a football pitch.’

While Wigan manager Roberto Martinez, who previously coached Williams for the Swans, added: ‘I signed Ashley Williams for Swansea and I know his character inside out. I can guarantee you without even looking at the incident that he is not a nasty footballer.

‘He is a winner and fully committed, a leader and a captain, and I don’t for one second doubt that he did not do that on purpose.

‘It is an action of the game. He can show frustration – it is an emotional game and it is very unfortunate that it hits Van Persie in a part of the body where he could have been hurt heavily, and you don’t want to see that.

‘But from my point of view, I know Ashley Williams really well – when you sign a player you find out about a player and I can guarantee you he is not the type of footballer who would do that on purpose.’

Van Persie angry after the ball hits his head
Hoof: Van Persie is struck by the ball from point-blank range (Picture: Sky Sports)

Newcastle boss Alan Pardew sympathised with Ferguson’s reaction to the clash but doesn’t hold out much hope for retrospective action to be taken against Williams, which is what the United manager demanded after the game.

Pardew said: ‘If one of your players gets hurt or you think he was in danger, you are going to protect him.

‘I think the one with Van Persie was perhaps not as bad as Alex at first imagined. Sometimes from the sideline, it looks a lot worse at the time.

‘I’m not sure whether there will be action taken for that.’