Back to the Liverpool Newsfeed

Neco Williams: Defender free to face Albania despite France red card

Wales were boosted for Saturday's Euro 2020 warm-up against Albania as Neco Williams was deemed free to play, despite being sent off in Wednesday's 3-0 friendly defeat by France.

Fifa told the FAW the matter was one for Uefa, which does not "legislate for sanctions related to friendly matches".

The FAW "sanctioned Williams directly" and allowed him to face Albania.

Liverpool defender Williams, 20, was controversially sent off for handball after just 25 minutes in Nice and was originally expected to be suspended for Saturday's pre-Euro 2020 friendly in Cardiff.

Wales wanted the ban rescinded so the Liverpool defender could gain match fitness for their first Euro 2020 game against Switzerland on 12 June, and Williams was again named in Wales' starting XI against Albania in Cardiff.