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The BBC has confirmed its presenter and pundit line-up for the Qatar World Cup with Rio Ferdinand, Alan Shearer and Didier Drogba among their biggest names.
33 matches from the tournament, which gets underway on November 20, will be shown live on the BBC’s channels and online streaming platforms as they share coverage with ITV.
But the Corporation could face a backlash after including Ashley Williams in their team despite the former Wales captain being charged by the FA for allegedly assaulting a coach at an Under 12s match in Manchester.
Williams’ son was playing in the match and witnesses said the former Everton and Swansea centre-back entered the pitch to confront an opposition coach who’d intervened after his son had been involved in an exchange with an opponent.
The FA charged Williams with improper conduct and violent, threatening behaviour but a spokesman for the ex-footballer claimed he was acting in self-defence and would contest the charge.
The BBC has revealed its line-up of pundits and presenters for their World Cup coverage, which will begin with the hosts Qatar taking on Ecuador on November 20. (Left to right) Ashley Williams, Didier Drogba, Pablo Zabaleta, Danny Gabbidon (sitting), Alex Scott, Mark Chapman, Gabby Logan (sitting), Rio Ferdinand, Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer, Micah Richards (sitting), Kelly Somers, Jermaine Jenas, Jurgen Klinsmann, Catrin Heledd.
Former Wales captain Ashley Williams is among the pundits despite being charged by the FA for allegedly assaulting a coach at an Under 12s match in Manchester
Ex-Wales captain Ashley Williams (circled, left and right) allegedly attacked an opposition coach at an Under 12s football match in Manchester as he watched his son play
Williams has appeared on the BBC’s Match of the Day 2 programme despite the FA charge, sparking a backlash from fans
Williams has since appeared as a studio guest on the BBC’s Match of the Day shows and will form part of their coverage from Qatar when the World Cup gets underway on November 20.
He will be presenting a radio phone-in on BBC Radio Wales during the tournament.
A BBC spokesperson said: ‘This is a personal matter for Ashley and the sport’s governing body.’
The BBC’s panel of experts on England and Wales games includes Ferdinand, Shearer, Micah Richards, Alex Scott, Jermaine Jenas, Williams, Ian Rush, Danny Gabbidon, Dion Dublin, Chris Sutton and Izzy Christensen.
Matches involving other nations will see analysis from Drogba, Vincent Kompany, Jurgen Klinsmann, Gilberto Silva, Pablo Zabaleta, Laura Georges and Mark Schwarzer.
Rio Ferdinand (left) and Micah Richards (right) will features as pundits on the BBC’s coverage of England matches
Regular BBC presenters Gary Lineker (left) and Alex Scott (right) will be prominent on their World Cup coverage
Coverage will be fronted by Gary Lineker, Gabby Logan, Mark Chapman and Kelly Cates.
The BBC’s live matches begin with the tournament opener between hosts Qatar and Ecuador at 4pm on November 20.
They’ll also show England’s opener against Iran at 1pm the following day and the BBC have first pick of the semi-finals and will broadcast the final on December 18 along with ITV.
The BBC will have Wales’s second match against Iran on November 25, as well as the blockbuster clash between the two home nations on November 29.
All 64 games at the tournament will be covered by BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Sounds.
A spokesman for the former Wales footballer claimed he was acting in self-defence and that ’45 witnesses’ can corroborate his version of events
The BBC’s commentary team will feature the likes of Martin Keown, Danny Murphy, Robbie Savage and Peter Schmeichel alongside regular like Jonathan Pierce, Steve Wilson and Guy Mowbray.
Kelly Somers and Emma Sanders will be reporters within the England camp, with Catrin Heledd covering Wales.
Sportsmail revealed on October 12 that Williams had been hit with an FA charge after allegedly attacking an opposition coach during an Under 12s game in Manchester in which his son was playing.
Witnesses said the BBC pundit, 38, ‘completely lost it’ and entered the field of play to confront an opposition coach who’d intervened after Williams’ son was involved with an exchange with an opponent.
Williams is then said to have reacted furiously, according to witnesses, allegedly grappling with the man in front of his own son and wife, and refusing to let him go.
Shocking video footage, taken after the incident, shows other parents dragging a clearly irate Williams away as children look on with the game halted.
On a number of occasions he attempts to wrestle free and attempt to march back towards the coach before being halted.
Witnesses have said the ex-player continued to abuse two opposition coaches.
However, a representative for Williams was adamant he was assaulted first. He has responded to the charge and requested a personal hearing.
The incident saw the September 18 match, between Corinthians and Williams’s TSC United at Manchester’s Wright-Robinson College, abandoned.
It is also understood that the BBC were made aware, but Williams has subsequently appeared on their Football Focus and Match of the Day shows.
ITV announced their line up of presenters and pundits for the World Cup last week.
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