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Welsh striker Craig Bellamy has been fined 750 pounds (1,250 dollars) after admitting threatening abusive or insulting behaviour outside a Cardiff nightclub in March.
Bellamy appeared at Cardiff Magistrates Court on Tuesday where he pleaded guilty to the abuse charge. Two other charges of racially aggravated behaviour were dropped at an earlier hearing.
The 24-year-old Newcastle striker admitted being drunk and abusive after being thrown out of a bar in the early hours of the morning.
He was told by Deputy District Judge Anthony Smith Jones that he had "let himself down" as he was such a "role model".
In addition to the fine the player was ordered to pay 75 pounds (125 dollars) costs. Ticketmaster
Bellamy was on a night out in his native city when he got into a tussle after being refused entry into the Jumpin' Jaks nightclub because it was too late, said Martin Thomas, prosecuting
A confrontation then followed in which Bellamy was thrown down the stairs leading to the club.
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"He continued to shout from the bottom step towards the staff," said
Thomas.
"Mr Bellamy became involved in exchanges with members of the public who had observed this incident. By that stage, a crowd had gathered to watch what was happening." Ticketmaster
The footballer had been in his home city preparing for a Wales match against Azerbaijan in the Euro 2004 qualifying competition.
In a statement issued later on Bellamy's behalf he apologised for his behaviour but claimed he had been "severely provoked".
Bellamy, a six-million-pound
(9 million dollar) buy from Coventry in 2001, has been sent off five times in
the last five seasons and been cautioned by police before for assault.