CRAIG BELLAMY HAS temporarily stepped down from his youth coaching role at Cardiff City as the Premier League club investigates bullying claims made against him.
The former Wales and Liverpool striker had been working with the U18 side, having retired as a player in 2014.
An investigation is underway after reports of a complaint about Bellamy’s alleged treatment of a young player, who has since left Cardiff City.
The 39-year-old Cardiff native “categorically refutes” the allegations, and has released a statement confirming his temporary departure.
“I am aware of allegations that have been made against me via the media,” he wrote.
“I understand the need for Cardiff City to undertake a full investigation in my response to these allegations and — at my own suggestion — I have temporarily removed myself from my coaching position in order to co-operate fully with the club’s inquiry.
Statement from Craig Bellamy below after allegations he bullied a young player in the Cardiff Academy setup. He’s temporarily removed himself from his coaching role while the club investigates... pic.twitter.com/EQf0gzTnPW
— Rebecca Williams 📺 (@RebeccaTVnews) January 3, 2019
“Obviously, I am saddened both by the allegations and the manner in which they were made and I categorically refute them.
“I fully expect to return to my coaching role and have sought legal advice as to my position. I will be making no further comment until the full investigation by the club has concluded.”
Cardiff City chief executive Ken Choo is leading the investigation, as first-team manager Neil Warnock stated when he was asked for a comment on the matter after his side’s defeat to Tottenham on New Year’s Day.
“Ken Choo, the chief executive, is dealing with this. It’s not in my remit. I don’t know anything about it.”
Bellamy, now a regular pundit with Sky Sports, lined out for the likes of Liverpool, Manchester City and Newcastle United before finishing his career in 2014 at his hometown club.
He was key to their Premier League promotion in 2013, and scored 19 goals in 78 games during his international career.
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