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Bellamy warned after clash with United fan

  • Story Highlights
  • Craig Bellamy escapes punishment following his clash with Manchester United fan
  • Manchester City striker warned about his future actions by the English FA
  • United's Gary Neville, an unused substitute, also warned for his celebrations
  • Home team not punished after City's Javier Garrido was hit on the head by a coin
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(CNN) -- Craig Bellamy has escaped punishment following his clash with a fan at the end of Sunday's tumultuous Manchester derby, with the City striker receiving a warning from the English Football Association.

Craig Bellamy scored twice as Manchester City suffered a heartbreaking 4-3 defeat at Old Trafford.

Craig Bellamy scored twice as Manchester City suffered a heartbreaking 4-3 defeat at Old Trafford.

United's Gary Neville, who was an unused substitute, was also warned by the FA for his celebrations after the home team's 4-3 victory, when he ran down the touchline towards City fans.

The FA decided against charging either player with improper conduct, with referee Martin Atkinson confirming that he would not have sent Bellamy off if he had seen the incident.

The Wales international was seen on television shoving his hand into the face of a fan who invaded the pitch at Old Trafford at the final whistle.

City also said the club would be taking no action.

"We viewed the incident as something and nothing," manager Mark Hughes said. "Craig wasn't privy to how much time was left to enable us to get back into the game. He wanted the guy to get off as quickly as possible -- and told him so in no uncertain terms.

"The guy has made an aggressive move towards him and Craig has put up a defensive hand and pushed the guy away. "He was right to do that because you are never quite sure what is going to happen in those situations."

Bellamy had scored a sensational second goal to level the score at 3-3, then saw United's former England striker Michael Owen net the winner deep into injury-time.

"The FA has warned both Manchester City's Craig Bellamy and Manchester United's Gary Neville following separate incidents in Sunday's fixture at Old Trafford," the governing body said in a statement on Tuesday.

"In relation to Bellamy, the match referee has confirmed that he would not have sent the player off had he seen the incident with the fan at the time. Bellamy will be contacted by the FA and warned as to his future conduct.

"The FA would repeat its previous advice that players should not become involved with or approach fans in such circumstances.

"The FA would also take this opportunity to remind fans, managers and players of their joint responsibility towards the game and strongly condemns any pitch invasions by fans.

"Neville has been reminded of his responsibilities following his actions after Manchester United's final goal deep into injury-time."

United also escaped punishment after City substitute Javier Garrido was hit on the head by a coin as he went down the tunnel at halftime.

"The FA fully expects the club to use all available means to identify and deal with the culprit appropriately and, along with the fan who entered the field of play, look to issue bans on attending future matches," the ruling body said.

All About Craig BellamyGary NevilleManchester City FCManchester United FCEuropean Football

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