Bellamy cautioned for common assault

Bellamy was questioned by Northumbrian Police after allegations made by the student after a night out on Monday and was then cautioned for his role in the incident.

Magpies chairman Freddy Shepherd said: "We are aware of the allegations which have been made against one of our players and shall be conducting our own internal investigation immediately.  At present the club has nothing further to say on the matter."

Northumbria police said: "As a result of police inquiries into an allegation of assault made by a 20-year-old student, police have questioned and cautioned a Newcastle United footballer Craig Bellamy for the offence of common assault.

"The incident took place in the early hours of February 5 2002."

With Kieron Dyer involved in a number of off pitch incidents and Bellamy sent home from Spanish resort La Manga for a breach of club rules after the Welshman, Carl Cort, Andy Griffin and the former Ipswich star failed to turn up for a special dinner, discipline at Newcastle and football in general will no doubt be questioned again.

Following a series of high-profile cases involving the Leeds duo of Jonathan Woodgate and Lee Bowyer and Chelsea's John Terry and Jody Morris, as well as the crowd violence at Cardiff, football has been brought under the spotlight for all the wrong reasons.