Football Talk - Police investigate Bellamy incident - 21/09/09
Greater Manchester Police have confirmed they are investigating Craig Bellamy's altercation with at the end City's 4-3 defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford. Bellamy, who scored twice in City's loss to rivals United, appeared to hit the fan in the face while he was being restrained by stewards.
Police have confirmed that neither party has lodged a complaint, although that will not prevent them making further enquiries.
"At the end of the derby between Manchester United and Manchester City at Old Trafford, a member of the public ran on to the pitch, and was detained by police and security staff," confirmed a police spokesman. "During this time, there was an altercation between the man and a player from Manchester City FC. No formal complaint has been made by either party but police are continuing to make inquiries."
City have pledged to defend Bellamy if he faces an FA inquiry. "I did not see it but the guy should not have been on the pitch," Mark Hughes, the City manager, said of the Bellamy incident. "That is not acceptable.I seem to recall Brian Clough clipping someone around the ear once [after Nottingham Forest's fans had invaded the pitch] and he was lauded as a national hero," Hughes added. "Maybe it will be the same with Craig but I doubt it. I'm sure people will make a nuisance of it."
Police will also investigate a coin-throwing attack on the City substitute Javier Garrido, who was struck as he headed down the tunnel at half-time.
