Mark Hughes jumped to the defence of Manchester City's two-goal striker Craig Bellamy after the fiery Welsh star clashed with a fan at Old Trafford this afternoon.
It was claimed Bellamy struck a spectator who had come onto the pitch as Manchester United recorded an amazing 4-3 victory.
If the allegation is proved, the Blues striker - who has endured plenty of disciplinary trouble in the past - could find himself in trouble, even though it is against the law for supporters to go onto the field of play.
Hughes feels that aspect of the confrontation needs to be taken into account, although he fears it will not be.
"I did not see it but the guy should not have been on the pitch. That is not acceptable," said the City chief.
"I seem to recall Brian Clough clipping someone around the ear and he was lauded as a national hero. Maybe it will be the same case with Craig but I doubt it.
"I'm sure people will make a nuisance about it."
Hughes also confirmed substitute Javier Garrido was struck by a coin thrown from the home section of the stadium at half-time.
It seemed the attack was actually aimed at former United hero Carlos Tevez, who was booed throughout by the home faithful.
Thankfully, Garrido was not hurt, although the Football Association are sure to be less than impressed with the two incidents.
"Apparently so," Hughes confirmed. "Something came from the crowd but he is okay."
Your Comments
ianfairleytilin
"when he played for Newcastle he was a dream player, unfortunately his mouth can run away with him and he feels he is better than he is, he elevates himself to be above mortal, thats why shearer gave him a good slapping and he left newcastle. good riddance little man you will learn one day.
"
debssteve
"Stop it everyone Bellamy is not my favourite player but he felt robbed and then some United fan (I am too ) wants to rub his face in it!!! Not appropriate at all emotion emotion emotion that is what the game is played with and he showed some for City he scored two wicked goals and if he had a united shirt on we would have been saying its not fair but he is in blue so should he get a ban i dont think so. Rightly or not I know the fan was being restrained but he is not to know what the guy is all about really so lets let the FA decided but hopefully they will judge Bellamy on this incident not on Bellamy of old. He is still a twit at times but he is trying to change and that is a good thing. Remember last year Ronaldo showed petulance about 3 times with little kicks if he had been banned for those indisretions then he would have missed half the season right or wrong!!!
We fans can gloat on the terraces and when we go to work I can gloat at all the city fans but i dont need to leave the terracing
A BIG UNITED FAN with a BIG SMILE WHICH IS GOING TO LAST ALL WEEK"
Dennis751
"Who does he think he is? Just coz he can kick a ball in a straight line does NOT mean he's above the law. I hope they throw the book at him and make him an example of what CAN happen, though I won't hold my breath......."
Dennis751
"Who does he think he is? Just coz he can kick a ball in a straight line does NOT mean he's above the law. I hope they throw the book at him and make him an example of what CAN happen, though I won't hold my breath......."
stvtayl
"The obvious solution here is Man Utd will get fined for being unable to control their fans (Coin throwing & pitch Invasion, tbh that one guy could've been part of a bigger group, and his invading the pitch "Could have" been the "Trigger Code" for any others to invade the pitch a'la Millwall).
So fairs fair Man Utd get fined for their "fans" behaviour much like all other clubs get, but as for Bellamy He'll get a fine for striking the "fan", espoecially as he was being subdued at the time and the Stewards had the case well in hand.
If the "Fan" had come running at Bellamy, then Bellamy could be excused, as god knows what the "Fan" was going to do or perhaps had hidden on his person. As for a ban, I dont think the FA will go along with that, I beleive a Fine is the worst they can do, because the "Fan" should'nt be on the pitch in the first place. "
footballbetting
"first i would just like to say time added on was fair
it is a minimum of 4 minutes 56 seconds for celebration an 30 secons for the sub. it is possible city could have scored in the 96 minute would they be complaining then.
then bellamy he walked 20 yards to a fan being subdued by 2 stewards and then hit his face when the fan had his hands behind his back. yes the fan shouldnt be on the pitch and old trafford is responsible for that in the same way mark hughes is responsible for his players, so can the fan not use the heat of the moment as an excuse.
I am a utd fan and bellamy scored 2 great goals, but he will be banned for his conduct and no-one can defend him.
also having watched the game city are still miles off the top four they have improved consistency but they was beaten by a well below par utd and all their goals came from simple mistakes by utd players, they didnt create anything themselves other then tevez hitting post and couldnt defend the basics, tevez reminded me of why i didnt like him at OT to many moves break down with him and hitting the post wasnt unlucky he just cant finish he missed many eas chances at OT and it was his inability to hold the ball up that led to utd's 4th
enough said"
steruddock
"If Man United can't control their fans they should be made to play 5 games behind closed doors."
davidward999
"i missed the game but saw the goals ,fantastic goals by bellamy, and city should have had a point and the additional 5 mins at old trafford has turned into six. I suppose they need an extra minute now ronaldo not playing any more. I watched Chelsea where the game was stopped about 20 mins and the ref added 8 mins"
RedsNine
"FA, FIFA and UEFA employ double standards...
These morons will use technology for player, crowd and manager behaviour when they show dissent and use a fine as a form of penalty to generate some income. However, they refuse to relook on matches played where the outcome is worth billions of pounds and euros. And they refuse to use it on their won - refrees.
What is the point of having the fourth official or in the Europa League an extra two?
It a real shame that the Old Trafford game will be forever marred by some pathetic officiating.
The FA, UEFA and FIFA must stop pu**yfooting and introduce the technology that is available. If van der Sar was allowed to use an iPod and get away with it then maybe thats the way to go cos tv replays are not allowed. Maybe the managers can use an iPod for live streaming 'cos tv's are not allowed at stadiums. Should the refree come this morning or tomorrow and apologise for his timekeeping, well its too damn late... It does not change the outcome of the game.
I guess Mark Hughes will be summoned before the FA for his actions against the fourth offical based on tv replays."
Magri
"I've grown to love belllamy since he's been and city and he has kept his head down so far but the video evidence doesn't do him any favours. It's true the Utd fan was on the pitch but he was being with held and no matter what the guy might have said to craig, he should have walked away. I agree that fans can say pretty much what they want (although I draw the line at racism) but as soon as thy enter the pitch they are fair game. 2 world class goals from the man though but yet another miscarridge of justice at the swamp but we are getting close. "
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