Taylor handed extra game ban for red card
WALES star Neil Taylor has been handed an extended ban for the tackle that broke Seamus Coleman’s leg in the recent World Cup qualifying showdown with the Republic of Ireland.
But he will only miss one extra game from Wales’ bid to qualify for Russia after Fifa’s disciplinary committee reached their verdict.
Taylor saw red in the March meeting of the two sides when his wild lunge caught Irish skipper Coleman and left the Everton defender in agony with what was later confirmed as a double leg break.
The challenge sparked outcry from Ireland fans and pundits with Taylor on the receiving end of swathes of criticism as Coleman faced a lengthy spell out of the game following the injury in the final 20 minutes of the goalless draw.
It prompted some to call for as much as a five-game ban in the emotional aftermath of the event, which also saw criticism of Wales talisman Gareth Bale for a studs-up challenge on John O’Shea that earned him a yellow card.
That booking – Bale’s second of the qualifying campaign – saw the Real Madrid man banned for Wales crucial trip to Serbia in June.
And Taylor’s red means he was guaranteed to also be missing for the clash in Belgrade.
But Fifa’s disciplinary committee have confirmed Taylor would serve a two-game suspension, inclusive of that Serbia game, having deemed the Aston Villa defender was guilty of serious foul play.
Fifa cited Article 48 of their disciplinary code that states that at least one game should be served for serious foul play, “particularly in the case of excessive or brute force”.
It means Taylor will also be unavailable to Chris Coleman for the home game with Austria on September 2, but will be back in contention for the game in Moldova three days later.
Meanwhile, Welsh football fans can see Chris Coleman’s Euro 2016 heroes continue their push for the 2018 World Cup finals against Serbia in June for just £3.50!
The FAW have announced 2,200 tickets for visiting fans have been made available for the key Group D qualifying clash at the Rajko Mitic Stadium, in Belgrade, for the price of a pint of beer in most Cardiff city centre bars.
The clash at Red Star Belgrade’s home ground in the Serbian capital kicks off at 8.45pm local time on Sunday, June 11, and Welsh fans can expect for fork out one of the lowest prices in recent international history to see if Coleman’s squad, minus Bale, can pull off a victory to get themselves right back in the qualifying mix.
The first round of tickets go on sale at 10am tomorrow to 10am Tuesday May, 2, for the 2018 World Cup gold of junior members plus anyone who has attended any four of the last nine qualifying/friendly matches on their booking history.
All members who qualify under this criteria are guaranteed a ticket provided they book before next Tuesday morning.
From 2pm on Tuesday the remainder of the tickets will go on sale to the World Cup gold and junior members alongside those who have attended three out of the last nine qualifying/ friendly matches on their booking history and this will run to 10am on Friday, May 5.
Welsh football: Pages 42 &43