Manchester City assistant Mark Bowen has defended Craig Bellamy following his clash with a fan during the Manchester derby and says the club will not be taking any action against him.
The Football Association have launched an investigation into the Wales international's confrontation with a man who invaded the Old Trafford pitch during Sunday's highly-charged Manchester derby.
Greater Manchester Police confirmed the 21-year-old man was charged with unlawfully running onto the pitch. Bowen told BBC Radio Five Live that Bellamy's move was potentially a defensive reflex.
"Craig had been our talisman on the day and brought us back into the game twice," he said. "A goal had just gone in and Craig was going to the fella to say in no uncertain terms to get off the pitch.
"Obviously I can't quote exactly what he said but it was like `Get off the pitch'. We were still in the game and it only takes a second to score a goal. My take is that he thought the fella might spit in his face or something. He came very close and moved towards him. Craig, with an open hand, just pushed the fella away."
Asked if there would be any action taken by City against the striker, Bowen said: "No. I don't think there is any need to."
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In the past 5 years Some 7.2million fans have entered Old Trafford in that period ONE fan entered the playing area (wrong also) but please dont blame MU for the Bellamy assault, each of us know what he is : A THUG WITH HIS FIST ANF GOLF CLUBS, just another over paid thug who could not earn a living outside football.
HE SHOULD BE PUNISHED...A PUNCH IN THE FACE IS A BAD EXAMPLE FOR YOUTHS
yeah BETTER NOT,that pesky lunatic will prob smack y'all w a GOLF CLUB!!!...hahahahah...GGMU!!!...
United have set the bad example by not being able to control their crowds. The game was still being played and the fan was wasting time that City may have benefited from. Wonder if the Ref allowed for that(think not eh) Although Bellamy would have been better advised to stay away from the Idiot, He was put into that sittuation by United's lack of control, so they are just as culpable. And if Bellamy does get a fine or more, then the same justice should be metered out to that PR..K Nevile, who could have cause far more violence by his celebrations in front of the City Fans. Is that Not also Incitement to Violence? He should Know, as he has a past in that respect. Oh! Well done United, Enjoy your moment, as from where i watched the game, you offer no more fear than other Premier league sides do and if they were watching this game they too would have taken heart for when they play you!
Hughes - weak management, sets a bad example to youngsters. Seems he feels all his players above reproach?
Laughable excuses from Bowen. Look at the video. And you will get the correct picture.
Good comments # 9, if Bellamy is wrong for altercation involving the person who should not be on the pitch; it is funny Mr.FA people are keeping their mouth shut for Ferdinand/Bellamy incident. Hey it is not fair game....
KICK CITY OUT
OMG HES HARD THE LAD HAD 5 SECURITY ON HIM AND HE GOS OVER AND HITS HIM JUST LIKE CITY FULL OF @#$%
i dont think bellamy should be punished, put yourself in his shoes, he is at a rivals ground, the final stages of a close encounter, he turns around to see an invader wearing the colours of the opposing team coming at him, instinct takes over, the invader is lucky he got away with a light push!
The fact that City appear to condone Bellamy's brainless actions, shows the the club in its true colours - that it is in fact a small club with a small mentality, and is incapable of positioning itself amongst the truly serious, English football clubs!
I really dont understand why we kept runing away from the truth.we should leave bellamy out of this trouble whether a thug or not,basicaly the problem came from the refferee..so why dont we blame the referee instead of bellamy,if the refferee was sincery why dont he blow after 5mim extra time..i dont think bellamy will do what he did if the refferee blew after the extra time given,i think refferee should also be banned or find.
The only reason this incident is getting more headlines, is to cover the 7th minute winner ManU scored!!!!!!!!! any guesses who could be behind this?????
how bout ferdinand choke this bellamy? nobody wants to highlight that?
Regardless of the pitch invader being completely out f order, Bellamy is a thug, a fact that has been proven over and over again, and he must be punished for his needless criminal assault on the fan, who was already being held and escorted from the pitch by stewards at the time of the assault.
Bowen says: "He said something like 'Get off the pitch'" More probably NOTHING LIKE 'Get off the pitch' knowing Bellamy's record.
well said Paul H !
the guy was an Old Toilet turd
Hmm...punching a fan WHILE he's being held by security.
Isn't a fan who run runs unto the pitch asking for it though?
This person Bowen talks out of his backside. City were given two goals from Utd. you City boys just found out where you actually stand in the big scheme of things, and you don't like it. you beat the Gooners when they had a bad day....that's all. can't wait until you come to the bridge for another football lesson.
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