Welsh to fight any ban on Giggs

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.

A cloud currently hangs over the Manchester United star following Russian official protests to UEFA that he elbowed defender Vadim Evseev during Saturday’s controversial first leg draw in Moscow.

The Welsh have since claimed they believe Russian players deliberately targeted Giggs during the 0-0 draw, and the player said a horror assault by Evseev seconds before the alleged elbowing incident was “the worst tackle I have had to contend with at any time during my career”.