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Former Premier League referee Mark Clattenburg has named Craig Bellamy as the player he disliked officiating the most.
Signed by Sir Bobby Robson in 2001, the Welshman became a top-flight staple over his 20-year career. Bellamy represented seven clubs at Premier League level, with the Magpies signing him from Coventry City following their relegation.
The forward quickly gained a reputation for a fiery temper which complimented his all-action displays. Toon fans will never forget Bellamy’s 91st-minute strike against Feyenoord in November 2002 to book a spot in Champions League’s second group phase.
However, Bellamy’s controversial temperament made the now 45-year-old an abrasive figure in English football, highlighted by him playing for 11 clubs throughout his career. For context, only Marcus Bent has represented more Premier League teams.
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Refs often bore the brunt of Bellamy’s hissy fits as he was sent off twice and booked 47 times in his 293-game top-flight career. Ex-official Clattenburg - a lifelong Newcastle fan - name-checked the former striker when discussing players he did not get on with.
“Some players just didn’t like me, and I didn’t like them,” he told The Overlap. “My problem with Craig was I was refereeing Bolton vs Man City and I cautioned him for dissent when I could’ve easily sent him off.
“I know if I send him off for foul language I’m gonna be in the world news so I want to try and avoid that controversy. I don’t want the club to be upset. I tried to manage the situation, then I sent him off for a dive. When I watched it back later on that night, it was a penalty so he never forgave me for it.
“It never got overturned because it was two yellow cards, which is crazy because, if I’ve said it’s wrong, then the suspension should be dropped. But that’s the rules. Two yellow cards and he has to serve a one-match suspension, so he never forgave me for that.”
Kieron Dyer on famous Sir Bobby Robson x Craig Bellamy bust-up
Sir Bobby enjoyed - and at times endured - a fabled relationship with Bellamy. Kieron Dyer revealed a post-match spat between the pair during their Newcastle days.
“There was a lot of talk about the brats at Newcastle, but Sir Bobby Robson - the best man-manager I ever worked for - knew how to put us in our place," Dyer said in 2018. “In one game, he brought Craig Bellamy off early because he thought the game was won and he wanted to save Craig’s legs.
"When we got back to the changing room, Craig was cursing about how he was always the first one to be hooked. Sir Bobby grew exasperated and said ‘Will you shut up'. Craig kept jabbering away about the injustice and, finally, Sir Bobby snapped. ‘I’ll squash you, son, like an ant.’ Craig looked a bit taken aback but after a brief pause, started complaining again.
“Sir Bobby said ‘Who are you? Ronaldo, Romario, Stoichkov, Hagi, Guardiola, Luis Enrique, Gascoigne. These are the people I deal with. And who are you?'
"The changing room went quiet. Even Craig went quiet. And then Craig looked over at me and said ‘he’s got a point, hasn’t he?’"
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