Ferguson: Van Persie could have died

Van Persie 'could have been killed' - CNN.comvar cnnCurrTime=new Date(1356318454000),cnnCurrHour=22,cnnCurrMin=7,cnnCurrDay="Sun",cnnIsIntl=true,clickID=212106,cnn_cvpAdpre="edition.",cnnCVPAdSectionT1="edition.cnn.com_worldsport_football_t1",cnnCVPAdSectionInPage="edition.cnn.com_worldsport_football_inpage",cnnShareUrl="%2F2012%2F12%2F23%2Fsport%2Ffootball%2Ffootball-premier-league-round-up%2Findex.html",cnnShareTitle="Van%20Persie%20'could%20have%20been%20killed'",cnnShareDesc="",cnnFirstPub=new Date('Sunday Dec 23 01:37:49 EST 2012'),cnnSectionName="iSport",cnnSubSectionName="Football",cnnPageType="Story",cnnBrandingValue="default";cnnPartnerValue="";cnnOmniBranding="",cnnAuthor="",disqus_category_id=207582,disqus_identifier="/2012/12/23/sport/football/football-premier-league-round-up/index.html",disqus_title="Van Persie \'could have been killed\'",cnn_edtnswtchver="edition",cnnIsStoryPage=true,cnn_metadata = {};cnn_metadata = {section: ["iSport","Football"],friendly_name: "Van Persie \'could have been killed\'",template_type: "content",template_type_content: "gallery",business: {cnn: {page: {author: "",broadcast_franchise: "",video_embed_count: "0",publish_date: "2012/12/23",photo_gallery: "Stylish Swans hold United"},video: {video_player: ""}}},user: {authenticated: "",segment: {age: "",zip: "",gender: ""}}};if (typeof(cnnOmniPartner) !== "undefined") {if (cnn_metadata.template_type_content === "") {cnn_metadata.template_type_content = "partner";}}var photo_gallery = "Stylish Swans hold United";if(typeof CNN==='undefined'){var CNN=Class.create();}CNN.expandableMap=[''];function _loginOptions(){};var disqus_url=(typeof disqus_identifier!=='undefined') ? 'http://www.cnn.com/2012/12/23/sport/football/football-premier-league-round-up/index.html' : 'http://www.cnn.com'+location.pathname;cnnad_newTileIDGroup(['607x95_adlinks','336x280_adlinks']); EDITION:  INTERNATIONAL U.S. MÉXICO ARABIC TV:   CNNi CNN en Español Set edition preference Sign up Log in Home Video World U.S. Africa Asia Europe Latin America Middle East Business World Sport Entertainment Tech Travel iReport World Sport Home Analysis Football Golf Tennis Motorsport Horse Racing Sailing PrintEmailMore sharingVan Persie 'could have been killed'December 23, 2012 -- Updated 2357 GMT (0757 HKT)if (typeof cnnArticleGallery=="undefined"){var cnnArticleGallery={};if(typeof cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList=="undefined"){cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList=[];}}var expGalleryPT00=new ArticleExpandableGallery();expGalleryPT00.setImageCount(10);expGalleryPT00.setAdsRefreshCount(3);//cnn_adbptrackpgalimg("Perfect for Patrice", 1);.cnn_html_slideshow_metadata > .cnn_html_media_utility::before{color:red;content:'>>';font-size:9px;line-height:12px;padding-right:1px}.cnnstrylccimg640{margin:0 27px 14px 0}.captionText{filter:alpha(opacity=100);opacity:1}.cnn_html_slideshow_media_caption a,.cnn_html_slideshow_media_caption a:visited,.cnn_html_slideshow_media_caption a:link,.captionText a,.captionText a:visited,.captiontext a:link{color:#004276;outline:medium none}.cnnVerticalGalleryPhoto{margin:0 auto;padding-right:68px;width:270px}Patrice Evra gave Manchester United a 16th minute lead at Swansea after heading home Robin van Persie's corner.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":true,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":1,"title":"Perfect for Patrice"}Evra races away to celebrate with teammate Michael Carrick in hot pursuit as the league leaders make the perfect start in Wales.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":2,"title":"Celebration time"}Michu's 13th league goal of the season ensured Swansea grabbed a point from a pulsating contest. The Spaniard, who cost $3.2 million from Rayo Vallecano, has impressed since his arrival in the Premier League in July.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":3,"title":"Nice to Michu"} Ashley Williams and United's van Persie clash after the Swansea defender had kicked the ball against the Dutchman while he was on the floor. United manager Alex Ferguson was left fuming at Williams and said: "The Van Persie situation you can clearly see that he could have been killed."cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":4,"title":"Red hot clash"}Ferguson was left raging after seeing van Persie struck by the ball and vented his fury after the contest. He said: "It was absolutely deliberate. The whistle has gone, the game has stopped and he has done that right in front of the referee, he could have killed the lad. It was a disgraceful act by the player, he should banned for a long time."cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":5,"title":"Fuming Fergie"}Fernando Torres headed Chelsea in front against Aston Villa with his 14th goal of the season. The Spaniard's goalscoring form has been transformed since the arrival of new interim manager Rafa Benitez. Chelsea crushed Villa 8-0 to inflict the worst ever top-flight defeat on the visiting club.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":6,"title":"Towering Torres"}David Luiz doubled Chelsea's lead on 29 minutes with a spectacular free-kick as Chelsea cruised past a young Villa side at Stamford Bridge.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":7,"title":"Lethal Luiz"}Branislav Ivanovic grabbed his fourth league goal of the season to give Chelsea a three-goal lead at the break. The Serbia defender, who also scored at Leeds in midweek, headed home from close-range to wrap up the game after just 34 minutes.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":8,"title":"Easy for Ivanovic"}Frank Lampard became Chelsea's all-time leading scorer in top-flight football after hitting his 130th goal on his 500th league start. Lampard's drive gave the home side a 4-0 lead as Villa began to wilt.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":9,"title":"Lampard loving life"}Ramires came off the bench to score twice as Chelsea eventually declared on eight. It could have been worse for Villa as Lucas Piazon missed a penalty. Eden Hazard and Oscar were also on target.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length]={"currentPicture":false,"x":0,"y":0,"pos":10,"title":"Rampant Ramires"}HIDE CAPTIONPerfect for PatriceCelebration timeNice to MichuRed hot clashFuming FergieTowering TorresLethal LuizEasy for IvanovicLampard loving lifeRampant Ramires<<<12345678910>>>Event.observe(window,'load',function(){if(typeof(cnn_adbptrackpgalimg) == 'function' && typeof(cnnArticleGallery) != 'undefined'){cnn_adbptrackpgalimg(cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[0].image,"Stylish Swans hold United");}});STORY HIGHLIGHTSManchester United boss Alex Ferguson believes Robin van Persie "could have been killed"Dutch striker hit in head with ball while on the ground after Ashley Williams kicked ball awayPatrice Evra's goal canceled out by Michu's strike as United held 1-1 by SwanseaChelsea crushes Aston Villa 8-0 to move into third position in Premier League

(CNN) -- Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson was left raging after claiming Robin van Persie "could have been killed" following an altercation with Swansea's Ashley Williams.

Ferguson, whose side moved four points clear at the top of the Premier League table following the 1-1 draw, accused Williams of deliberately kicking the ball at the striker's head while he lay on the ground.

Van Persie and Williams squared up to each other following the incident as both sets of players tried to break up the confrontation.

Sculptor shows softer side of formidable Ferguson

Referee Michael Oliver booked both men, but Ferguson wants the Football Association to take action against the Wales defender.

.cnnArticleGalleryNav{border:1px solid #000;cursor:pointer;float:left;height:25px;text-align:center;width:25px}.cnnArticleGalleryNavOn{background-color:#C03;border:1px solid #000;float:left;height:25px;text-align:center;width:20px}.cnnArticleGalleryNavDisabled{background-color:#222;border:1px solid #000;color:#666;float:left;height:25px;text-align:center;width:25px}.cnnArticleExpandableTarget{background-color:#000;display:none;position:absolute}.cnnArticlePhotoContainer{height:122px;width:214px}.cnnArticleBoxImage{cursor:pointer;height:122px;padding-top:0;width:214px}.cnnArticleGalleryCaptionControl{background-color:#000;color:#FFF}.cnnArticleGalleryCaptionControlText{cursor:pointer;float:right;font-size:10px;padding:3px 10px 3px 3px}.cnnArticleGalleryPhotoContainer cite{background:none repeat scroll 0 0 #000;bottom:48px;color:#FFF;height:auto;left:420px;opacity:.7;position:absolute;width:200px;padding:10px}.cnnArticleGalleryClose{background-color:#fff;display:block;text-align:right}.cnnArticleGalleryCloseButton{cursor:pointer}.cnnArticleGalleryNavPrevNext span{background-color:#444;color:#CCC;cursor:pointer;float:left;height:23px;text-align:center;width:26px;padding:4px 0 0}.cnnArticleGalleryNavPrevNextDisabled span{background-color:#444;color:#666;float:left;height:23px;text-align:center;width:25px;padding:4px 0 0}.cnnVerticalGalleryPhoto{padding-right:68px;width:270px;margin:0 auto}.cnnGalleryContainer{float:left;clear:left;margin:0 0 20px;padding:0 0 0 10px}if (typeof cnnArticleGallery == "undefined") {var cnnArticleGallery = {};}if(typeof cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList =="undefined"){cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList = [];}var expGallery61=new ArticleExpandableGallery();expGallery61.setImageCount(5);//cnn_adbptrackpgalimg("Great Dane", 1);In the absence of suspended skipper Roy Keane, Peter Schmeichel captained Manchester United to European Champions League glory in 1999. United trailed Bayern Munich 1-0 heading into the 90th minute, but stunned the Germans by scoring twice in a matter of minutes to seal a famous 2-1 success. The win completed an historic Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup treble.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length] = {"currentPicture":true,"x":6,"y":1,"pos":1,"title":"Great Dane"}Schmeichel is backing Jurgen Klopp's Borussia Dortmund to pull off a shock and lift the Champions League for the second time in their history. The German title winners have been lauded for topping a group which contained Real Madrid, Manchester City and Ajax.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length] = {"currentPicture":false,"x":6,"y":1,"pos":2,"title":"Dortmund\'s destiny?"}Lionel Messi has been unstoppable in 2012, scoring a record 90 goals so far this calendar year. 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Here he is pictured working on The Bomber Command Memorial Sculpture, which is situated in London's Green Park, and was unveiled by the Queen in June.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length] = {"currentPicture":true,"x":6,"y":2,"pos":1,"title":"Fellow Scots"}Jackson was also the artist who created the statue of former England captain Bobby Moore, which is located at Wembley Stadium. The statue, standing six meters in height and weighing approximately two tons, commemorates when Moore captained England to World Cup glory in 1966.

cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length] = {"currentPicture":false,"x":6,"y":2,"pos":2,"title":"England legend Moore"}The Alex Ferguson sculpture is the third Manchester United piece Jackson has produced. His statue of George Best, Denis Law and Bobby Charlton, which stands outside Old Trafford, depicts three of the club's greatest players.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length] = {"currentPicture":false,"x":6,"y":2,"pos":3,"title":"Man Utd\'s \"Holy Trinity\""}Jackson's first Manchester United related sculpture depicted former manager Matt Busby, who was a key figure in creating the club's attacking philosophy of football which Ferguson has helped maintain.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length] = {"currentPicture":false,"x":6,"y":2,"pos":4,"title":"Busby in bronze"}Jackson's bronze scultpture of Ferguson is nine foot in height. It will be unveiled ahead of United's home game against Queens Park Rangers on November 23.

cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length] = {"currentPicture":false,"x":6,"y":2,"pos":5,"title":"Ferguson artwork"}A number of other English clubs have commissioned artworks to remember former managers, notably Bobby Robson, who managed a number of clubs including Ipswich Town, Barcelona and Newcastle United as well as England. This statue of Robson is outside Newcastle United's St James' Park.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length] = {"currentPicture":false,"x":6,"y":2,"pos":6,"title":"Bobby Robson remembered"}Manchester United's great rivals Liverpool have a statue of former Scottish manager Bill Shankly outside their Anfield ground.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length] = {"currentPicture":false,"x":6,"y":2,"pos":7,"title":"Shanks sculpture"}It is not just managers and players who have been immortalized in sculpture form. In Baku, Azerbaijan, there is a statue of the 1966 World Cup final linesman Tofig Bahramov outside the Tofig Bahramov stadium. Here former West Germany goalkeeper Hans Tilkowski and former England striker Sir Geoff Hurst are pictured standing next to the the Bahramov statue in June 2011.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length] = {"currentPicture":false,"x":6,"y":2,"pos":8,"title":"Linesman cast"}The moment French football superstar Zinedine Zidane headbutted Italy's Marco Materazzi in the 2006 World Cup final has been immortalized in a five meter bronze statue. 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Just nine minutes later the Argentina star passed the German's 1972 milestone. cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length] = {"currentPicture":true,"x":6,"y":3,"pos":1,"title":"Messi beats Muller"}The three-time world player of the year, who is shortlisted for a record fourth ballon d'Or in January, passed Muller with three more possible matches to play in 2012.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length] = {"currentPicture":false,"x":6,"y":3,"pos":2,"title":"Time to spare"}The 25-year-old crept within one goal of Muller's record with two goals against Athletic Bilbao in a 5-1 victory in December. Click here to see a map of Messi's first 84 goals this year.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length] = {"currentPicture":false,"x":6,"y":3,"pos":3,"title":"On the brink of history"}However, Messi was injured after coming on as a substitute during a Champions League match against Benfica -- but he made a quick recovery to be fit for the Betis game.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length] = {"currentPicture":false,"x":6,"y":3,"pos":4,"title":"Record in doubt"}Lionel Messi has enjoyed a stellar 2012. With a hat-trick against Grenada in March, he equaled and broke the all-time goalscoring record for Barcelona in official matches of 232 set by Cesar Rodriguez.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length] = {"currentPicture":false,"x":6,"y":3,"pos":5,"title":"Barca\'s best"}A hat-trick against Malaga in May took Messi to 68 goals for the 2011-12 season, edging him past the record for goals in a European season set by Bayern Munich's Muller in 1972-73.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length] = {"currentPicture":false,"x":6,"y":3,"pos":6,"title":"Chasing Muller"}Muller was one of the most predatory strikers in football history, winning both the World Cup and the Europan Championship with West Germany. Click here to see a comparison of Muller and Messi.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length] = {"currentPicture":false,"x":6,"y":3,"pos":7,"title":"Magnificent Muller"}Messi has also had a standout year for the Argentina national team. He has scored 12 goals for his country in 2012, including a hat-trick against archrivals Brazil in June.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length] = {"currentPicture":false,"x":6,"y":3,"pos":8,"title":"For club and country"}Messi became Barca's all-time leading goalscorer in "El Clasico" matches against Real Madrid in August. His free-kick in August was his 15th in the fixture against Barca's archrivals.cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length] = {"currentPicture":false,"x":6,"y":3,"pos":9,"title":"El Clasico"}Messi beats MullerTime to spareOn the brink of historyRecord in doubtBarca's bestChasing MullerMagnificent MullerFor club and countryEl ClasicoHIDE CAPTION<<<123456789>>>Lionel Messi's record yearEvent.observe(window, 'load', function() {//report the first gallery image to ADBPif(typeof(cnn_adbptrackpgalimg) == 'function' && typeof(cnnArticleGallery) != 'undefined') {cnn_adbptrackpgalimg(cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[0].image, "Stylish Swans hold United");}});"The Van Persie situation you can clearly see that he could have been killed," Ferguson said on Sky Sports News.

"The FA has got to look into it regardless that he has been given a yellow card.

"He should be banned for a long time because that was the most dangerous thing I've seen on a football field for many years.

"It was absolutely deliberate. The whistle has gone, the game has stopped and he has done that right in front of the referee, he could have killed the lad.

"It was a disgraceful act by the player, he should banned for a long time."

Real Madrid to face Manchester United in European Champions League

Williams was quick to play down the incident after the game.

"I tried to clear the ball it hit him on the head," he added. "I was trying to clear the ball.

"He was obviously a bit angry about that. It was much ado about nothing."

Patrice Evra's 16th minute header had given United the lead before Michu equalized with his 13th Premier League goal of the season.

Can revived Torres rescue Chelsea's season for Benitez?

Meanwhile, Chelsea went goal crazy by crushing Aston Villa 8-0 at Stamford Bridge to move up into third position.

Fernando Torres headed the home side ahead after just three minutes before David Luiz curled home an exquisite free-kick.

Branislav Ivanovic headed a third before the break as Chelsea ran riot.

Any thoughts of Rafa Benitez's men easing up after the interval were soon extinguished when Frank Lampard grabbed a fourth.

That strike established him as the club's leading goalscorer in the top-flight as he marked his 500th Premier League start with his 130th goal.

Benitez takes over Chelsea

Substitute Ramires added another two and both Eden Hazard and Oscar also got on the scoresheet.

It could have been worse for Villa, who were indebted to several impressive stops by U.S. keeper Brad Guzan, including a penalty save from Lucas Piazon.

"Everything (impressed me) the performance of the team," Benitez said.

"We have been talking before about the mentality of the team; attacking, creating chances we had good movement, we were good in defense. As a team we had the balance we are looking for."

The defeat is Villa's worst in the top-flight in its entire history and leaves them three points off the relegation zone.

Manager Paul Lambert said: "We were second best. We have to hold our hands hold our hand up, we never turned up at this level we can't play like that.

"We always learn, it will certainly be a wake-up call its been going fine for us and it is only Chelsea and the two Manchester clubs that have turned us over, we will bounce back."

Huntelaar

Meanwhile, Schalke striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar has signed a new two-year deal with the club.

The 29-year-old, whose contract was set to expire at the end of the season, will now remain in Germany until 2015.

"I have thought long and hard over this decision and I am very grateful that the bosses at Schalke gave me this time," the Holland striker said on the club's official website.

France

In Ligue 1, Marseille moved level on points with leaders Paris Saint-Germain and second place Lyon following a 1-0 win over Saint Etienne.

Andre Ayew scored the only goal of the game for Marsille, which sits third in the league on 38 points but with an inferior goal difference.

Elsewhere, Valenciennes moved up to sixth with a 2-1 win over Evian, while Toulouse earned a 2-0 victory over Sochaux.

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