Boss defends Denmark man over tackle on Chelsea’s Ampadu

Denmark boss Age Hareide has defended Kasper Dolberg for a challenge on Ethan Ampadu which left Ryan Giggs furious.

It saw Chelsea youngster Ampadu hit the advertising boards before it sparked a melee and prompted Wales boss Giggs to voice his feelings to Age Hareide.

Giggs, whose side lost 2-1 to the Danes in Cardiff, described the challenge as a “cheap shot” and particularly unsavoury in light of teenager Ampadu’s past injury problems.

But Dolberg said: “If you knew him, he is one of the nicest kids you could ever think of. He wouldn’t harm a fly.

“The boards were too close to the line. It wasn’t the knock from Dolberg, it was the boards that put him (Ampadu) to the ground.”

Wales players reacted angrily to the incident and Giggs insisted the challenge was unnecessary.

Giggs said: “You have got a lad just turned 18 who broke his leg when he was 17. It was a late tackle.

“I realise we are not playing tiddlywinks. It is a competitive game, and there are going to be tackles, which is part of the game and I like that.

“But for a young lad who has been injured badly recently, it was a cheap shot. That’s why I reacted, and I was proud of the players how they reacted, protecting a young player, which is how it should be.

“It shows that they care and shows they are not going to be bullied, and I like that in a team.”