Giggs free to play

Ryan Giggs is free to play in Wales' Euro 2004 qualifying play-off second leg against Russia tomorrow despite a UEFA charge.

The Manchester United winger has been charged with improper conduct after appearing to elbow Vadim Evseev in the goalless first-leg draw in Moscow, which prompted the Russian football association to call for an immediate ban.

But a UEFA spokesman told the Press Association: "Ryan Giggs will be able to play in tomorrow's match but he'll have to answer a subsequent disciplinary charge of improper conduct."

The FAW will appeal against the decision to charge Giggs with the lesser offence of improper conduct, which is due to be heard at a UEFA hearing on December 4.

"We will obviously appeal on Ryan's behalf," said FAW international secretary Mark Evan. "We are clearly not happy that the decision seems to have been made on e-mail evidence.

"We would want UEFA to look at the whole match, certainly the incidents leading up to the clash with the Russian player.

"We would want UEFA to view the tackle on Giggs beforehand, as well as other incidents in the match."

Russia have also not escaped UEFA's disciplinary chiefs and have been charged over the use of firecrackers and flares during the first leg.