Police Charge Fan Over Bellamy Clash

A football fan allegedly involved in a confrontation with Manchester City footballer Craig Bellamy has been charged by police.


Jake Clarke, 21, is said to have run on to the pitch during City's
4-3 defeat in the derby against Manchester United at Old Trafford on
Sunday.

Greater Manchester Policesaid
he has been charged with going on to a playing area without lawful
authority or excuse and will appear at Trafford Magistrates' Court on
September 30.

The crowd watched as a male fan ran on to the pitch from the United home end after Michael Owen's late goal.

Bellamy marched towards the man and pushed him in the face before the fan was led away by stewards.

The Football Association said it was still considering what action, if any, to take against Bellamy.

Police will also investigate a coin-throwing attack on City
substitute Javier Garrido, who was struck as he headed down the tunnel
at half-time.

Twelve people were arrested at the ground for a variety of public order offences and a further 10 were arrested in the city.

A total of 51 supporters were ejected from Old Trafford during the match.


Meanwhile, Merseyside Police have interviewed Blackburn Rovers' footballer El-Hadji Diouf after a ball-boy complained he racially insulted him.

Senegalese forward Diouf apparently clashed with the youngster
during the first half of his side's match on Sunday against Everton at
Goodison Park.

He is understood to have shouted at the ball-boy after complaining that the ball was not thrown back into play quickly enough.

A spokesman for Merseyside Police said: "We are looking into an
allegation that a 28-year-old man used racist language at the Everton
match."

In 2003, Diouf was banned for two matches after being caught on
television spitting towards Celtic fans while playing for Liverpool in
a UEFA Cup quarter-final in Glasgow.

He was also banned for three international matches in 2004 after
being found guilty of violent conduct in an African Nations Cup
quarter-final.



Firstly, the fan was being restrained by 4 stewards at the time and Bellamy walked at least 30 feet to go and smack him in the face...

Second, Diouf is alleged to have said " fuck off white boy "...