On the latest episode of the Mail’s Whistleblowers podcast, hosts Mark Clattenburg and Ian Ladyman shared stories about their encounters with Craig Bellamy during his playing career.
Wales manager Bellamy, 46, was notorious for his fiery temperament both on and off the pitch during a career that saw him represent some of England‘s biggest clubs including Liverpool, Manchester City and Newcastle United.
The Welsh forward earned 78 caps for his country between 1998 and 2013.
Former Premier League referee Clattenburg told the podcast how a controversial sending-off decision sparked an unusual act of revenge from the volatile forward.
You can listen to the latest episode of Whistleblowers by clicking the player below or here
‘Craig Bellamy grabbed my b**** once’, Clattenburg joked.
‘I sent him off incorrectly against Bolton for diving. I’d already cautioned him for descent, and he was winding me up.
‘I was young and daft, and I bit. I should have just ignored him.
‘I remember coming down the tunnel, halftime, going out for the second half. I said to somebody at City: ‘How do you put up with him?’
‘I got reported for that. It was when City had started to turn from that family club to the club that they are now.
‘Anyway, I ended up sending Craig off, a second yellow for diving. Watching it back, there was contact – he could’ve played on, but it was likely a penalty.
Wales manager Bellamy, 46, was notorious for his fiery temperament both on and off the pitch during a career that saw him represent some of England ‘s biggest clubs
Former Premier League referee Clattenburg told the podcast how a controversial sending-off decision sparked an unusual act of revenge from Bellamy
‘I was young and daft, and I bit. I should have just ignored him.’ Listen here
Ian Ladyman said he was happy to see Bellamy in management, noting that despite his temper he has the potential to become a great coach
‘When I next saw him at City, he was talking to somebody. As I walked past, he looked at us, put his arm out and squeezed my b****.
‘But after that, it was all forgotten. Craig wasn’t a guy who held grudges. He just moved on from it.’
Daily Mail Football Editor Ladyman recounted his own confrontation with Bellamy, revealing how the fiery forward cornered him in the tunnel mouth after a critical match report, leading to what the journalist described as ‘some finger jabbing’ before the pair eventually reconciled.
Ladyman also said he was happy to see Bellamy in management, noting that despite his temper he has the potential to become a great coach.
Bellamy has made an impressive start as Wales manager, remaining unbeaten in his first six matches and leading Wales to the top of their World Cup qualifying group.
He said: ‘I am very fond of Craig. I was covering Wales when he first broke through into the squad.
‘He was in that first wave of very talented City players, and I wrote something about him, can’t remember now what it was.
‘Their next match was at Blackburn. I was down in the mouth of the tunnel after the game.
‘Bellamy had been a substitute and during his warm down, he comes off the pitch and stops right by me.
‘There was a lot of finger wagging, ‘did you write that about me?’
‘Anyway, above us in the stands, John Murray was still on-air doing BBC 5Live.
‘He’s witnessing it and tells the show: I can see Craig Bellamy and Ian Ladyman of the Daily Mail having a right old dingdong below me.
‘But with Bellamy, when it was done, it was done. There was a handshake and the next you’d see him he give you a compliment.
‘I am so pleased he’s doing well. He’s brilliant for Wales, I see real potential there.’
To hear more behind the scenes stories like this, search for Whistleblowers now, wherever you get your podcasts.
