Wales ready to fight Giggs charges
CARDIFF, Wales (Reuters) -- The Football Association of Wales says it will "vigorously defend" winger Ryan Giggs after he was charged by UEFA with improper conduct.
Giggs is eligible to play against Russia in the second leg of their Euro 2004 playoff, but could miss the opening games of next year's finals if Wales qualify.
Russia wanted Giggs banned from the second leg after saying he elbowed Vadim Yevseyev in the face during Saturday's 0-0 draw in Moscow.
UEFA's disciplinary chiefs rejected the Russian appeal but Giggs, who is battling to be fit for the second leg, must face the improper conduct charge in a hearing on December 4.
"We will wait for all the details from UEFA, but we will vigorously defend Ryan," an FAW spokesman said.
"Presumably if he were given a suspension, UEFA would want that to apply during the tournament.
"But we will fight any charges very strongly and show further mitigating evidence, not least the nine-inch scar down Ryan's shin from the tackle by Yevseyev shortly before the alleged incident.
"Ryan really thought he had broken his leg at the time."
Wales manager Mark Hughes on Tuesday accused Russia of trying to get Giggs out of the second leg "by fair means or foul" but is hopeful that the Manchester United player will recover.
"It was a shocking tackle on Ryan and he is still very sore," said Hughes. "He is a very high profile player and any incident involving him makes headlines."
