Craig Bellamy and Gary Speed Cleared!

By Matthew Jones
July 4 2003

Newcastle United pair Craig Bellamy and Gary Speed were last night both cleared to play in Newcastle's opening game of the Premiership campaign as Fifa rejected a call from the Football Association of Wales to secure the pair's services.

There is a crucial Euro 2004 qualifier in Belgrade just three days after United face Leeds on August 17, and the FAW launched an appeal to try and prevent Bellamy and Speed playing at Elland Road.

Fifa were quick to turn down the appeal. They told the FAW that they may not demand any players until 48 hours before they are scheduled to kick off.

The decision could prove costly to Mark Hughes' chances of leading Wales to next year's Euro 2004 finals in Portugal, but Sir Bobby Robson is pleased.

"You have to wonder if this would have happened had England or a major power been in this position," said Ceri Stennett, a spokesman for the FAW who lodged their appeal after United's trip to Leeds was put back 23 hours to accomodate Sky TV.

A fair question. What would they do, if Owen and Gerrard were needed from Liverpool to play for England?

He went on to say: "But now we just have to get on with things and make the most of it. Given that we we had the same problem when we went to Azerbaijan and again could only have our players 48 hours before game on Fifa's insistence, we are not that surprised by the decision.

"It's a blow coming a day after the decision to put a Premiership game on the Sunday, just 24 hours before we fly to Serbia and while the rest of the squad will have assembled and be preparing for the international."

Meanwhile, midfielder Jamie McClen could be on his way to Hartlepool United in Division 3, following the signing of Lee Bowyer.

Although this will mean him jumping from the Premiership to Division 2, he said: "The only thing that matters is that I'm playing, the division isn't that important."