UPDATED: BELLAMY SUSPENDED / Accussed of bullying at CCFC

Personally I bet this has all been taken out of context and yes Bellamy is loud//shouts/ demanding / passionate etc but he won’t have made it a personal thing against a kid.

Annis, you've met and chatted with Craig Bellamy and know a little of his real character rather than the one perceived by those who like to believe the negative about certain people

Craig is certainly a character and his own man. He also has an occasional short fuse but he has always been good with the kids to the best of my knowledge or have there have been rumblings from the Academy before now?

This story has only really been reported in one mischievous paper and there doesn't appear to be a flood of Academy players/parents coming out of the usual woodwork (the modern thing when someone is down) to claim that they have complained similarly

As for being 'suspended from Sky sports', they have now said Bellamy has been told he won't work with them again until this is cleared up and that would be in line with any workplace safeguarding where one of its employees has been accused (not proven guilty) of any wrong-doing

One line that did get my attention was (quote the parent) "we feared for his welfare"

Not a big sentence but one that (for me) says a lot and a great reason/excuse to leave the Academy, which in turn leaves me wondering even more if the boy/parent already had somewhere else they's rather be?

Yeah the Mail wrote this article but it wasn’t just a tabloid story, its clearly been researched and written over a longer period of time. He was told to stay away from the youth teams in early November if i recall, so the club has (or should’ve) been investigating. In the Soccer AM ytkd with Bullard, Bellamy was ruthless with one of his players over a poor cross, during a kickabout! The guy has a screw loose. Its also unfair to call the kids involved snowflakes and all that rubbish. That Alfie Madden is the son of an ex-palace defender and FA Cup finalist, so his Dad has probably challenged him over it and told him to its character building etc. However, for his parents to then pull him out of the academy shows that they must’ve seen something change in their son, a bit more than him being a ‘snowflake.’ Its very easy to judge from the outside but at the end of the day, these kids are humans and not money making machines. By the sounds of their meeting about his withdrawal, Bellamy seems a right pr*ck. He is incapable of the finer points of management in regards to man management and handling tense situations. No wonder he only wants to be a head coach (as said on The Debate) and have a director of football to deal with the board, because he is incapable of playing politics with those around him or at least keeping calm in such situations. I hope he never gets anywhere near the first team role, the feel good factor around the club and players - created by Warnock - will likely disappear. If you don’t believe any of this, then just look at the way he treated his ex wife and former teammates e.g. Riise, and tell me that man has a shred of common decency.

Personally I bet this has all been taken out of context and yes Bellamy is loud//shouts/ demanding / passionate etc but he won’t have made it a personal thing against a kid.

Annis, you've met and chatted with Craig Bellamy and know a little of his real character rather than the one perceived by those who like to believe the negative about certain people

Craig is certainly a character and his own man. He also has an occasional short fuse but he has always been good with the kids to the best of my knowledge or have there have been rumblings from the Academy before now?

This story has only really been reported in one mischievous paper and there doesn't appear to be a flood of Academy players/parents coming out of the usual woodwork (the modern thing when someone is down) to claim that they have complained similarly

As for being 'suspended from Sky sports', they have now said Bellamy has been told he won't work with them again until this is cleared up and that would be in line with any workplace safeguarding where one of its employees has been accused (not proven guilty) of any wrong-doing

One line that did get my attention was (quote the parent) "we feared for his welfare"

Not a big sentence but one that (for me) says a lot and a great reason/excuse to leave the Academy, which in turn leaves me wondering even more if the boy/parent already had somewhere else they's rather be?

Chris,

I have got to know Bells well over the years, I have nothing but respect for him

My oldest daughter also spent 5 days in Dubai with him and and a group of others.
Looked after my daughter well

Personally Inhave only ever seen passion and respect shown by Bells, yes he demands passion to be shown by players who he teaches and for me that’s as far as it would go.

Todays kids need some old school in them

Bellamy's hardly a people person. I can imagine the allegations to be true if I'm being completely honest.

I can't see him being the guy to nurture young talent at our club.

Bellamy is trying to install in the young players the grit they need to have any chance of making it, he has been through it himself and it did not do him any harm.
Just a thought player cannot cope with Bellamy's regime, has been offered a place at another club, but needs an excuse to leave city academy, joins club in July 2017, but now has quit/ let go by other club , and all of a sudden said article appears in the mail, 18 months later, Mmmm!

Just found out, that he did not leave for other club in July, but was released by city at the end of 2017, and has now apparently been released by the other club FGR after Bellamy was on skysports slamming the media for having a go at Sterling the Mail writes the Rise article and now this, don't like Bellamy do they another, Mmmmmm

My friend at Sky tells me CB has amassed quite a few enemies at the broadcaster and this was just the reason they needed to drop him, he’ll never work for them again.

Time for a nice cigar - Cuban

Lets be honest none of this would surprise anyway in the slightest, you comes across as sell obsessed. He has made enemies everywhere he has gone, never stayed at a club for long for probably the same reason. At some point you have to look at the common theme, is it always everyone else?

The way he spoke about City during the Burnley interviews considering he is an employee of the club for me very poor taste. Lets get a real coach in to manage the kids.

Cardiff City looking into claim against Craig Bellamy

Neil Warnock was asked about the allegations following Cardiff's 3-0 defeat to Tottenham

2 JAN 2019


Neil Warnock was asked about the allegations following Cardiff's 3-0 defeat to Tottenham

Cardiff City are looking into an alleged complaint made against Craig Bellamy, their player development manager and former Wales captain.

A report in Daily Mail claims the parents of a former Bluebirds academy player have complained about Bellamy in his role as academy boss.

The club are expected to release an official statement later today (Wednesday).

Neil Warnock was asked about allegations made against Bellamy in his press conference after Cardiff's 3-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur.

He said the club's hierarchy were looking into the issue.

My friend at Sky tells me CB has amassed quite a few enemies at the broadcaster and this was just the reason they needed to drop him, he’ll never work for them again.

Time for a nice cigar - Cuban

Quote (Bay Blue): "My friend at Sky tells me..."

You've never brought him/her and their 'insider' comments to this Forum before, so why start now?

Also, I'd like to point out in another thread you stated you'd never smoke a cigar after the antics of the Freeman's girls

Which is it to be?

Mother thought her daughter, 31, had been murdered when she saw her in bloodsoaked bed following sickening New Year attack by stranger over a bag of chips

Whats this got to do with it ?

Personally I bet this has all been taken out of context and yes Bellamy is loud//shouts/ demanding / passionate etc but he won’t have made it a personal thing against a kid.

Annis, you've met and chatted with Craig Bellamy and know a little of his real character rather than the one perceived by those who like to believe the negative about certain people

Craig is certainly a character and his own man. He also has an occasional short fuse but he has always been good with the kids to the best of my knowledge or have there have been rumblings from the Academy before now?

This story has only really been reported in one mischievous paper and there doesn't appear to be a flood of Academy players/parents coming out of the usual woodwork (the modern thing when someone is down) to claim that they have complained similarly

As for being 'suspended from Sky sports', they have now said Bellamy has been told he won't work with them again until this is cleared up and that would be in line with any workplace safeguarding where one of its employees has been accused (not proven guilty) of any wrong-doing

One line that did get my attention was (quote the parent) "we feared for his welfare"

Not a big sentence but one that (for me) says a lot and a great reason/excuse to leave the Academy, which in turn leaves me wondering even more if the boy/parent already had somewhere else they's rather be?

Chris,

I have got to know Bells well over the years, I have nothing but respect for him

My oldest daughter also spent 5 days in Dubai with him and and a group of others.
Looked after my daughter well

Personally Inhave only ever seen passion and respect shown by Bells, yes he demands passion to be shown by players who he teaches and for me that’s as far as it would go.

Todays kids need some old school in them

They certainly do; not all but too many are Molly coddled and 'precious' beyond

I heard the interview with the boy's father on Talksport and thought the interviewers handled it with respect for both parties positions and without the input of Craig or the club (they were awaiting a statement at the time)

Two things struck me as odd...

First was that the father managed to be pretty disparaging about Craig Bellamy and it did sound personal, although he needed time to think about some of his replies to questioning about events themselves and really didn't elaborate; preferring to insinuate that it was words rather than deeds that upset either him or the boy (or both)

Secondly, according to the Tweet (below) the incident(s) took place in 2017 but are only now are coming to the fore?


Someone else said "it was long investigation" but by who? The Mail?

Other than gossip and rumour, has any other Academy member or their family come forward to either substantiate what is alleged to have occurred and/or made similar claims about their own child?

It seems Sky Sports have stood him down for now ( so presumably BT will follow?) and City say they are only now aware of the claims with Ken Choo and Mehmet Dolman set to start an investigation into said claims

So here we are well over a year down the line and Mr Madden decides to go public and start throwing accusations around that his boy's life has been changed for the worse because someone (allegedly) shouted at him

Proven or not at a future point, I think there's something fishy about this 'claim' and not on the level

You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.

How did this get leaked? Looking at the details in the articles it must have been from someone on the inside?

Could it be NW wanting him out?

One accusation does not mean a thing, if there were more than one then there has to be some substance. Todays modern snowflakes need to man up a bit and I don't mean just footballers.

How did this get leaked? Looking at the details in the articles it must have been from someone on the inside?

Could it be NW wanting him out?

would not surprise me, but the article mentions quite a few incidents and people over a period of time not just the Madden kid so could be any of them..its not like he is joe popular .

Did he do his badges with FAW? There is a part of the course that relates to youth psychology - you can't tiptoe around players but you have to be able to communicate effectively.

I'd take a pound for every time I have been called a sheep shagger by an English man/woman. Life is tough get on with it! :

By your boss really? Odd working environment especially when working with younger people.

I joined the Army @ 17 years of age and was called all sorts in regard to being Welsh by NCO's in basic training and beyond. It didn't do me any harm whatsoever.

Yeah if they found out you were Welsh. Only time it bothered me was when it was done out of anger. That's when it steps out of line.

Know people who have grown up with him and still hang out with him, short temper and a bit of nutter. Wouldn't surprise me if what is said is true.

But its also true the world is turning into snowflakes.

Guessing he prob needs to rein it in a bit with the youngster and it wouldn't be a surprise if stuff has been blown out of proportions to get more attention

UPDATED: 02/01/19

Neil Warnock was asked about allegations made against Bellamy in his press conference after Cardiff's 3-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur.

He said the club's hierarchy were looking into the issue.

“Ken Choo, the chief exec, is dealing with this,” Warnock said.

“It’s not in my remit. I don’t know anything about it.”


Craig Bellamy has been suspended by Sky Sports.

My friend at Sky tells me CB has amassed quite a few enemies at the broadcaster and this was just the reason they needed to drop him, he’ll never work for them again.

Time for a nice cigar - Cuban

Quote (Bay Blue): "My friend at Sky tells me..."

You've never brought him/her and their 'insider' comments to this Forum before, so why start now?

Also, I'd like to point out in another thread you stated you'd never smoke a cigar after the antics of the Freeman's girls

Which is it to be?

Now’s the time, I’m very selective when I use my inside info.
Never again from freeman’s, those girls were very “naughty but nice”.

And just to finish, stop bullying me unless I’ll report you to moderator

My friend at Sky tells me CB has amassed quite a few enemies at the broadcaster and this was just the reason they needed to drop him, he’ll never work for them again.

Time for a nice cigar - Cuban

Quote (Bay Blue): "My friend at Sky tells me..."

You've never brought him/her and their 'insider' comments to this Forum before, so why start now?

Also, I'd like to point out in another thread you stated you'd never smoke a cigar after the antics of the Freeman's girls

Which is it to be?

Now’s the time, I’m very selective when I use my inside info.
Never again from freeman’s, those girls were very “naughty but nice”.

And just to finish, stop bullying me unless I’ll report you to moderator

I'm listening...and I'd probably admonish myself!

Personally I bet this has all been taken out of context and yes Bellamy is loud//shouts/ demanding / passionate etc but he won’t have made it a personal thing against a kid.

of course. bellamy would never do something like that, would he? the following from when he attacked a team mate with a golf club.

for this weekend
Read more
Steven Gerrard had called the owner and booked a private room for us at Monty’s Restaurant and Bar. Monty’s was situated in an area near the beach. The interior was black and white, and I remember seeing a karaoke machine in the bar.

A couple of the lads started drinking before the food arrived. Among them was Craig Bellamy. Pretty soon a microphone appeared on the table and Bellamy bellowed into it: “Riise’s gonna sing! Riise’s gonna sing!” He started before the food was served and continued while we ate. He was already quite drunk and I was already quite annoyed.

Pretty soon Bellamy was over by the karaoke machine with the microphone in the hand: “Riise’s gonna sing! Riise’s gonna sing!” Furious, I went over to him: “I’m not singing. Shut the f**k up or else I’m gonna smash you!” He screamed back: “I’m gonna f*cking kill you, you ginger c**t!”

Bellamy shut up, and I left with Sami Hyypiä – who was just getting a little tipsy – and got a taxi back to the hotel. Agger hadn’t wanted to leave yet, so I promised to leave the door unlocked. Back in the room I fell asleep almost immediately. It was no later than half twelve.

I woke in the dark to hear someone opening the door. Obviously I thought it was Agger. I turned, but my eyes were half-asleep, and I didn’t see anything in the sudden, bright glare. But something made me realise that it wasn’t Agger. And soon I could see him – Craig Bellamy at the foot of my bed with a golf club in his hands.

Steve Finnan, who shared a room with Bellamy, was there too, but he just stood there. Bellamy raised the club over his head and swung as hard as he could. He tried to hit my shins, which would have ended my career, but I managed to pull my leg away in time.

I jumped out of bed, pulled off the sheet and held it between us like I was some kind of half-awake matador. Bellamy sputtered: “Nobody disrespects me like that in front of the lads!” He was completely gone.

“I don’t care if I go to jail! My kids have enough money for school and everything. I don’t care. I’ll f*cking do you!” He raised the club and swung again. This time he connected. Full force on my hip. I was so pumped with adrenaline that I didn’t feel the pain, but he hit me hard. It was an iron.

The next blow smashed into my thigh. I tried to hold up the sheet, but he continued to strike. He could seriously injure me. At the same time, I knew I could take Bellamy if I needed to. I was bigger and stronger.

Finnan stood by the door. Maybe he was there to stop Bellamy if it got too bad, but he was short and skinny. He wouldn’t have stood a chance once I made my mind up. However, I knew that if I responded to Bellamy’s attack, my career at Liverpool would be over.

I tried to calm him down: “Put down the club and let’s fight with our fists. Come on! A proper fight!” He just stood and glowered at me. Then he said: “Tomorrow at nine o’clock we’ll meet and finish this.” Then he left.

A lot of things had happened that night; I didn’t know about most of it because I’d gone to bed early, but when I looked out the window to see what all the racket was about I saw the flashing lights of a police car and our keeper, Jerzy Dudek, being bundled into the back in handcuffs. He was singing and pounding on the roof of the car.

I rang the doctor and asked him to take a look at me. Already my hip and thigh were turning black and blue. After taking care of my injuries, the doctor called Rafa Benítez. He hurried upstairs and his shock was palpable when he entered the room. But he didn’t say much. He was the same as always, calm and controlled. He just mentioned everyone involved would meet up the next day for a chat. Then he left, first to demand a report from Gerrard about who had let things spiral out of control that night.

In the morning I got up, showered and examined the injuries in the mirror. At five to nine I left the room. Agger wanted to come with me. I found Bellamy’s door and knocked. No answer. It was nine o’clock. I was ready. I knocked again, but nobody opened.

For 10 minutes, we waited outside. Then Agger and I went to have breakfast. The rumours of what had happened during the night had clearly spread. The lads sat there, laughing amongst themselves. After a while Bellamy showed up. He didn’t even glance at me. He grabbed some food and sat down. Not a sound. Nothing. Dudek arrived with scrapes on his face. The lads laughed even more.

The sniggering continued at the training session. I didn’t like that they just laughed about it. One of our team-mates had attacked me and could have ended my career. Why did nobody challenge him about it? But they must have thought that this was a private matter between Bellamy and me.

I felt like knocking him out. I would have been justified in giving him a pounding but I had too much respect for Benítez and the team. We were about to play an important match. There was enough commotion as it was.

Bellamy apologised but only when he was more or less forced to by the manager. He ended up with an £80,000 fine. I received no punishment, contrary to the reports of some journalists.

Personally I bet this has all been taken out of context and yes Bellamy is loud//shouts/ demanding / passionate etc but he won’t have made it a personal thing against a kid.

of course. bellamy would never do something like that, would he? the following from when he attacked a team mate with a golf club.

for this weekend
Read more
Steven Gerrard had called the owner and booked a private room for us at Monty’s Restaurant and Bar. Monty’s was situated in an area near the beach. The interior was black and white, and I remember seeing a karaoke machine in the bar.

A couple of the lads started drinking before the food arrived. Among them was Craig Bellamy. Pretty soon a microphone appeared on the table and Bellamy bellowed into it: “Riise’s gonna sing! Riise’s gonna sing!” He started before the food was served and continued while we ate. He was already quite drunk and I was already quite annoyed.

Pretty soon Bellamy was over by the karaoke machine with the microphone in the hand: “Riise’s gonna sing! Riise’s gonna sing!” Furious, I went over to him: “I’m not singing. Shut the f**k up or else I’m gonna smash you!” He screamed back: “I’m gonna f*cking kill you, you ginger c**t!”

Bellamy shut up, and I left with Sami Hyypiä – who was just getting a little tipsy – and got a taxi back to the hotel. Agger hadn’t wanted to leave yet, so I promised to leave the door unlocked. Back in the room I fell asleep almost immediately. It was no later than half twelve.

I woke in the dark to hear someone opening the door. Obviously I thought it was Agger. I turned, but my eyes were half-asleep, and I didn’t see anything in the sudden, bright glare. But something made me realise that it wasn’t Agger. And soon I could see him – Craig Bellamy at the foot of my bed with a golf club in his hands.

Steve Finnan, who shared a room with Bellamy, was there too, but he just stood there. Bellamy raised the club over his head and swung as hard as he could. He tried to hit my shins, which would have ended my career, but I managed to pull my leg away in time.

I jumped out of bed, pulled off the sheet and held it between us like I was some kind of half-awake matador. Bellamy sputtered: “Nobody disrespects me like that in front of the lads!” He was completely gone.

“I don’t care if I go to jail! My kids have enough money for school and everything. I don’t care. I’ll f*cking do you!” He raised the club and swung again. This time he connected. Full force on my hip. I was so pumped with adrenaline that I didn’t feel the pain, but he hit me hard. It was an iron.

The next blow smashed into my thigh. I tried to hold up the sheet, but he continued to strike. He could seriously injure me. At the same time, I knew I could take Bellamy if I needed to. I was bigger and stronger.

Finnan stood by the door. Maybe he was there to stop Bellamy if it got too bad, but he was short and skinny. He wouldn’t have stood a chance once I made my mind up. However, I knew that if I responded to Bellamy’s attack, my career at Liverpool would be over.

I tried to calm him down: “Put down the club and let’s fight with our fists. Come on! A proper fight!” He just stood and glowered at me. Then he said: “Tomorrow at nine o’clock we’ll meet and finish this.” Then he left.

A lot of things had happened that night; I didn’t know about most of it because I’d gone to bed early, but when I looked out the window to see what all the racket was about I saw the flashing lights of a police car and our keeper, Jerzy Dudek, being bundled into the back in handcuffs. He was singing and pounding on the roof of the car.

I rang the doctor and asked him to take a look at me. Already my hip and thigh were turning black and blue. After taking care of my injuries, the doctor called Rafa Benítez. He hurried upstairs and his shock was palpable when he entered the room. But he didn’t say much. He was the same as always, calm and controlled. He just mentioned everyone involved would meet up the next day for a chat. Then he left, first to demand a report from Gerrard about who had let things spiral out of control that night.

In the morning I got up, showered and examined the injuries in the mirror. At five to nine I left the room. Agger wanted to come with me. I found Bellamy’s door and knocked. No answer. It was nine o’clock. I was ready. I knocked again, but nobody opened.

For 10 minutes, we waited outside. Then Agger and I went to have breakfast. The rumours of what had happened during the night had clearly spread. The lads sat there, laughing amongst themselves. After a while Bellamy showed up. He didn’t even glance at me. He grabbed some food and sat down. Not a sound. Nothing. Dudek arrived with scrapes on his face. The lads laughed even more.

The sniggering continued at the training session. I didn’t like that they just laughed about it. One of our team-mates had attacked me and could have ended my career. Why did nobody challenge him about it? But they must have thought that this was a private matter between Bellamy and me.

I felt like knocking him out. I would have been justified in giving him a pounding but I had too much respect for Benítez and the team. We were about to play an important match. There was enough commotion as it was.

Bellamy apologised but only when he was more or less forced to by the manager. He ended up with an £80,000 fine. I received no punishment, contrary to the reports of some journalists.

That’s one side of the story why are you taking it as gospel truth?

Personally I bet this has all been taken out of context and yes Bellamy is loud//shouts/ demanding / passionate etc but he won’t have made it a personal thing against a kid.

of course. bellamy would never do something like that, would he? the following from when he attacked a team mate with a golf club.

for this weekend
Read more
Steven Gerrard had called the owner and booked a private room for us at Monty’s Restaurant and Bar. Monty’s was situated in an area near the beach. The interior was black and white, and I remember seeing a karaoke machine in the bar.

A couple of the lads started drinking before the food arrived. Among them was Craig Bellamy. Pretty soon a microphone appeared on the table and Bellamy bellowed into it: “Riise’s gonna sing! Riise’s gonna sing!” He started before the food was served and continued while we ate. He was already quite drunk and I was already quite annoyed.

Pretty soon Bellamy was over by the karaoke machine with the microphone in the hand: “Riise’s gonna sing! Riise’s gonna sing!” Furious, I went over to him: “I’m not singing. Shut the f**k up or else I’m gonna smash you!” He screamed back: “I’m gonna f*cking kill you, you ginger c**t!”

Bellamy shut up, and I left with Sami Hyypiä – who was just getting a little tipsy – and got a taxi back to the hotel. Agger hadn’t wanted to leave yet, so I promised to leave the door unlocked. Back in the room I fell asleep almost immediately. It was no later than half twelve.

I woke in the dark to hear someone opening the door. Obviously I thought it was Agger. I turned, but my eyes were half-asleep, and I didn’t see anything in the sudden, bright glare. But something made me realise that it wasn’t Agger. And soon I could see him – Craig Bellamy at the foot of my bed with a golf club in his hands.

Steve Finnan, who shared a room with Bellamy, was there too, but he just stood there. Bellamy raised the club over his head and swung as hard as he could. He tried to hit my shins, which would have ended my career, but I managed to pull my leg away in time.

I jumped out of bed, pulled off the sheet and held it between us like I was some kind of half-awake matador. Bellamy sputtered: “Nobody disrespects me like that in front of the lads!” He was completely gone.

“I don’t care if I go to jail! My kids have enough money for school and everything. I don’t care. I’ll f*cking do you!” He raised the club and swung again. This time he connected. Full force on my hip. I was so pumped with adrenaline that I didn’t feel the pain, but he hit me hard. It was an iron.

The next blow smashed into my thigh. I tried to hold up the sheet, but he continued to strike. He could seriously injure me. At the same time, I knew I could take Bellamy if I needed to. I was bigger and stronger.

Finnan stood by the door. Maybe he was there to stop Bellamy if it got too bad, but he was short and skinny. He wouldn’t have stood a chance once I made my mind up. However, I knew that if I responded to Bellamy’s attack, my career at Liverpool would be over.

I tried to calm him down: “Put down the club and let’s fight with our fists. Come on! A proper fight!” He just stood and glowered at me. Then he said: “Tomorrow at nine o’clock we’ll meet and finish this.” Then he left.

A lot of things had happened that night; I didn’t know about most of it because I’d gone to bed early, but when I looked out the window to see what all the racket was about I saw the flashing lights of a police car and our keeper, Jerzy Dudek, being bundled into the back in handcuffs. He was singing and pounding on the roof of the car.

I rang the doctor and asked him to take a look at me. Already my hip and thigh were turning black and blue. After taking care of my injuries, the doctor called Rafa Benítez. He hurried upstairs and his shock was palpable when he entered the room. But he didn’t say much. He was the same as always, calm and controlled. He just mentioned everyone involved would meet up the next day for a chat. Then he left, first to demand a report from Gerrard about who had let things spiral out of control that night.

In the morning I got up, showered and examined the injuries in the mirror. At five to nine I left the room. Agger wanted to come with me. I found Bellamy’s door and knocked. No answer. It was nine o’clock. I was ready. I knocked again, but nobody opened.

For 10 minutes, we waited outside. Then Agger and I went to have breakfast. The rumours of what had happened during the night had clearly spread. The lads sat there, laughing amongst themselves. After a while Bellamy showed up. He didn’t even glance at me. He grabbed some food and sat down. Not a sound. Nothing. Dudek arrived with scrapes on his face. The lads laughed even more.

The sniggering continued at the training session. I didn’t like that they just laughed about it. One of our team-mates had attacked me and could have ended my career. Why did nobody challenge him about it? But they must have thought that this was a private matter between Bellamy and me.

I felt like knocking him out. I would have been justified in giving him a pounding but I had too much respect for Benítez and the team. We were about to play an important match. There was enough commotion as it was.

Bellamy apologised but only when he was more or less forced to by the manager. He ended up with an £80,000 fine. I received no punishment, contrary to the reports of some journalists.

That’s one side of the story why are you taking it as gospel truth?

tbh mate I think Bellamys version is worse...the singing, Risse going off to bed,, Bellamy following him to his room later with a golf club and hitting him with it are in both accounts.. how hard the whack was varies in the 2 stories ..In Bellamys he says of himself it was pathetic, stupidity of the highest level, it was drunken bullying behaviour…

On this occasion it’s obvious CB was trying to improve his handicap, I thought he was hard done by.

On this occasion it’s obvious CB was trying to improve his handicap, I thought he was hard done by.

it cost him dearly in many ways 80k fine, unused sub in a champions league final.. and shipped out to Spam...
but it was not his fault ..vee hav vays ov making you sing..

I would get Liverpool loving Bellamy out of the club as quickly as possible, complete nightmare

In this day and age, we must be very careful indeed what we say and do in our professional lives. Craig hasn't been - ever, but it had been hoped that he would mature and learn. Sadly , he hasn't and at this point I think the damage is done , whatever we might think about the merits of the latest drama.
It's better now that he goes quietly away and keeps his nose clean for a while , after which he can start applying for other jobs perhaps. It's a great pity because I'd have liked to see him continue to earn a living from and be part of the club, but whether he apologises or not and whether it's true or not , there's no way back for him at the moment.
We live in a world where the mere allegation is sufficient in regards to any "trendy" cause or borderline "ism", and a world in which we have long dispensed with the need for evidence, truth or substance to be shown in these cases. I certainly regret this fact, but a fact it is whatever I might say about it.
Had he been from a preferred grouping things might be different, but again, this is not the case, so there we are .

This has been on the cards for some time. At the start of September I wrote here

"Obviously I'm 100% fond of Craig Bellamy and it's not my intention to attack him in any way.
However, I think he's being unwise in commenting quite so fully as a TV pundit whilst he's still working for the Club.
Without putting too fine a point on it, he tends to say more than he should about internal matters and tactics and I really wouldn't like to see this eventually result in a conflict with the manager.
He was a truly great player and remains a Cardiff City icon , but he was never known for diplomacy and I'd say that he's in a period of his career where he should be learning the art of management from Sir Neil, there being few better teachers ,rather than appearing to rock the boat in any way.
Management is different to playing of course, and I'd love to see Craig Bellamy as a future manager of the club, but I do think that he must be mindful of his position within the club when making public comments."

I've made numerous other similar comments here, each time trying to be restrained in my tone because I really wanted him to make a go of something, but that's not going to happen at the moment so we should now negotiate a financial settlement with the complainant , ( the Club having failed to honour its duty of care to the boy I think we can assume a court would say), and draw a line under the matter.

"Obviously I'm 100% fond of Craig Bellamy and it's not my intention to attack him in any way”

That tickled me, who needs friends eh