Newcastle May Take The Welsh F.A. To Court

By Kyle Braithwaite
September 4 2003

The bitter dispute between the Magpies and the Welsh F.A. could end up in court, if the player picks up an injury while on international duty with Wales this weekend.

The increasingly bitter dispute between Wales and Newcastle United over the selection of Craig Bellamy for Saturday’s international match against Italy may have to be settled in court with both sides threatening to take legal action against each other.

It is thought that the Magpies have sent a letter to The Football Association of Wales, via a solicitor threatening them with claims for compensation should Bellamy, who has not played competitively since aggravating an old knee injury performing for Wales in Belgrade last month, suffers’ any further injury problems to his knee while on international duty this weekend in Milan (Italy) with the Welsh team.

Newcastle Manager Bobby Robson doesn’t feel that Craig Bellamy is yet fit enough to play for Wales, despite the player coming through training in the San Siro yesterday night without any problems to his knee.

However, Wales Manager Mark Hughes believes that Craig is fit enough to do a job in Italy for the team this weekend and has taken the player on the trip with him.

Do you think Bellamy should play for Wales on Saturday? Place your Vote on the Poll now!

Meanwhile

The Magpies, have taken young 17-year-old Lazio midfielder Gianluca Russo on trail.

Russo is due to spend about 3 weeks at St James Park so Bobby Robson can take a good look at him, before deciding if to offer him a contract with the club.

This is not the first time Gianluca Russo has been over to Britain as he also had a trail with Scottish side Glasgow Rangers early on this year.