Police drop probe over Bellamy clash with fan

British police have dropped an investigation into a clash between Craig Bellamy and a fan who ran onto the pitch in last weekend’s explosive Manchester derby, a spokesman said Thursday.

The Manchester City player was warned by the Football Association after he responded to the fan by pushing him in the face on Sunday, while the police said they had launched a probe.

But a Greater Manchester Police spokesman said Thursday: “We have received no complaints about this incident and are currently not investigating the matter.”

The fan involved will appear in court on September 30 charged with going on to a football playing area without lawful authority.

Gary Neville, a non-playing Manchester United substitute, was also investigated for his actions in celebrating the home side’s winner by running down the touchline towards the City fans.

But the FA have decided against charging either player with improper conduct, in Bellamy’s case because referee Martin Atkinson told FA officials that he would not have sent off the Welsh star had he seen the incident.

United won the match 4-3 with a Michael Owen goal deep in second-half injury time.