Bellamy denies race claims

Bellamy denies race claims

Craig Bellamy celebrates scoring against Italy

Wales star Craig Bellamy has denied making racist comments in an alleged nightclub incident.

The striker, 23, was alleged to have been involved in an bust-up outside a Cardiff city centre club early on Monday morning.

Solicitors for the Football Association of Wales (FAW) made a statement of behalf of Bellamy denying any racist element to the alleged incident.

The statement, issued on Tuesday evening, said: "Speculation by the press as to an alleged incident involving Craig Bellamy was addressed by Craig today when he voluntarily met with police in Cardiff.

Craig firmly and categorically denies that any racist comments were made in relation to this incident

FAW statement

"He provided information with respect to an incident which allegedly occurred in the early hours of Monday, 24 March in Cardiff city centre.

"Craig will not be entering into a dialogue with the press as to matters discussed with the police.

"However, Craig firmly and categorically denies that any racist comments were made in relation to this incident."

Meanwhile, detectives investigating the allegations have sent a file to the Crown Prosecution Service.

Bellamy has been reported for summons on a public order offence following the alleged incident.

The player, who is from Cardiff, attended a police station voluntarily where he was questioned by detectives.

He was in his home city to join the Welsh team ahead of Saturday's Euro 2004 qualifying game against Azerbaijan at the Millennium Stadium when the alleged incident took place.

Bellamy - who has been nursing tendonitis problems - missed training on Monday morning, but later joined up with the Welsh team and trained on Tuesday.

Head-butt incident

Bellamy, from Trowbridge in Cardiff, has enjoyed a fine run of form as Newcastle contest the Premiership title, but has had a troubled season on the pitch due to indiscipline.

He missed six of the side's Champions League games through suspension.

Bellamy was convicted on video evidence of head-butting Dynamo Kiev defender Tiberiu Ghione and was then sent off for kicking out at Marco Materazzi.

He has claimed he is victimised by referees.

But Bellamy has also scored nine goals for the Magpies this term, and netted the winner as Wales beat Italy 2-1 in the European Championship qualifiers.