FA charge Bellamy with violent conduct

Cardiff City’s Craig Bellamy has been charged by the Football Association with violent conduct during Saturday’s clash against Swansea City.

The 34-year-old appeared to punch Swansea midfielder Jonathan de Guzman in Saturday’s Wales derby, which Garry Monk’s side won 3-0 courtesy of goals from Wayne Routledge, Nathan Dyer and Wilfried Bony.

Bellamy has been punished using new FA rules that allow players to be sanctioned for actions not spotted by match officials, but caught by television cameras.

An FA statement read: “Cardiff City’s Craig Bellamy has been charged by The FA for violent conduct following an incident which was not seen by the match officials but caught on video.

“The incident occurred during Cardiff’s game against Swansea City on Saturday 8 February 2014.

“Bellamy has until 6pm on Tuesday 11 February 2014 to respond to the charge.”

The well-travelled forward is likely to face a three-match ban, which would see him miss crucial Premier League matches against Aston Villa and Hull City, as well the coming weekend’s FA Cup tie against Wigan Athletic.

Cardiff confirmed that they will review the matter before deciding on whether to appeal or not.

Should Cardiff lodge an appeal, Bellamy would be free to face Villa on Tuesday at the Cardiff City Stadium.

Bellamy signed permanently for Cardiff in August 2012, helping the club to promotion to the Premier League last season.

He has scored just once in 14 top-flight appearances so far this season as Cardiff sit 19th in the Premier League, three points from safety.