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Wales Online
Wales Online
Sport
John Jones

Rio Ferdinand demands Wales legend Ashley Williams is removed from BBC studio after World Cup prediction

Former England star Rio Ferdinand was left furious after ex-Wales defender Ashley Williams made a huge claim about the Three Lions' World Cup chances.

The pair were both on punditry duties for the BBC's coverage of the round-of-16 clash between Croatia and Japan as Luka Modric's side advanced to the quarter-finals of the tournament in Qatar with a penalty shoot-out win.

Following the game, Williams was asked to give his prediction for the upcoming quarter-finals, with England learning the previous day that they would face France in the last eight following their 3-0 victory over Senegal and Les Bleus' 3-1 win against Poland.

Read more: The best photos from Wales' historic World Cup journey picked by official team photographer

The winner of that quarter-final, which takes place on Saturday, December 10, will play one of Spain, Morocco, Portugal or Switzerland, with the four sides in action in the last of the round-of-16 matches on Tuesday. Spain and Portugal are expected to beat the Moroccans and Swiss respectively and could face each other in the quarter-finals.

As Ferdinand and Williams previewed the remaining stages of the tournament with Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer, the former Manchester United defender admitted he was excited by the games still to come. "If Spain play Portugal then youâve got Brazil vs Argentina in the semis," said the former Three Lions star. "Itâs unbelievable."

It was then over to the former Wales captain, to examine the other side of the draw, which featured the upcoming quarter-final between England and France. The ex-Swansea City star couldn't resist poking fun at the all-English line-up in the studio, as he remarked: "Then you've got France vs Spain [in the semi-finals]".

A furious Ferdinand interrupted, outraged by his colleague's suggestion that England would be knocked out by Didier Deschamps' side. He then jokingly called for Williams to leave the studio, suggesting he should follow the Wales squad back home after their elimination in the group stages.

âWhat? What are you talking about?," he said. "This is why Ashley shouldnât be in here. He should be gone now - take him out!â

Shearer, however, showed a bit more mercy towards his fellow pundit, admitting that he had been "given enough grief" over Wales' disappointing showing in Qatar, with Rob Page's side claiming just one point from their three group stage games, drawing with the USA before losing to Iran and England to finish bottom of their group.

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