Police probe Jongleurs incident

Newcastle soccer star Craig Bellamy has denied racially abusing a doorman at the Jongleurs Comedy Club in Cardiff.

Police want to question the £35,000-a-week Welsh international after he was thrown out of the club at the weekend.

According to newspaper reports, the 23-year-old striker then unleashed a torrent of abuse at the bouncer, along the lines of "fucking Paki" and "Paki cunt".

But Bellamy's lawyer said he "strenuously denied" making any racist remarks.

"That is totally out of character, and anybody who knows him would accept that," Graham Shear told the Daily Mirror.

Jongleurs confirmed that someone was asked to leave, but would not confirm who. A spokesman added: "The security team were involved in ensuring he left the premises."

A police spokesman said, "South Wales Police are investigating after a man was allegedly racially and verbally abused. Inquiries are continuing and we are appealing for any witnesses."

Bellamy is due to play for Wales in a Euro 2004 qualifier against Azerbaijan at Cardiff's Millenium Stadium on Saturday

Published: 26 Mar 2003