Racism probe launched after Liverpool star Bellamy taunted by Brighton fans



Football chiefs are investigating an official racism complaint about Liverpool star Craig Bellamy after he was called a ‘sheep-*****’ during a game.

Let's Kick Racism Out and the FA have launched inquiries.



The Wales and Liverpool striker was allegedly the victim of 'inhuman, degrading and vile' taunts by rival fans.

Bellamy was targeted by fans of Brighton when Liverpool played them in the Carling Cup last month. Liverpool won the tie 2-1, with Bellamy scoring the opening goal for the Premiership side.

Target: Liverpool and Wales striker Craig Bellamy, pictured during last month's match again Brighton where he was allegedly subjected to racist taunts

The Football Association said it had been 'made aware' of the allegations by Let's Kick Racism Out and that it was now probing the claims.

Notorious bad boy Bellamy, 31, is a proud Welshman and a former captain of the national side.

It is alleged that the calls of 'sheep-sh***er' came from the terraces at Brighton and Hove Albion's ground during the crunch match on September 21.

The club could be fined if it is found not to have properly controlled the behaviour of fans.



Crunch match: The taunts allegedly came from the terraces occupied by Brighton fans

If the complaint is upheld, it would not be the first-time Bellamy has been the subject of racist abuse because of his Welsh nationality.

In 2005 a Hearts football fan, Kevin Bonar, shouted insults at Bellamy during a match between Hearts and Celtic, who Bellamy was playing for at the time.

Bonar was found guilty of calling the 63-capped player a 'wee, little Welsh b******'.

He was convicted of racially aggravated breach of the peace at Glasgow Sheriff Court and was fined £250.

A fan who claims to have witnessed the recent abuse said: 'The abuse was often slow, sinister and deliberate.'

Christian Roberts, an anti-racism campaigner and former Cardiff City striker. said: 'Anti-Welsh chants were something all Welsh players had to deal with during their careers.