Craig Bellamy provides an explanation for his “ridiculous” golf club assault on a Liverpool teammate.

Craig Bellamy clarifies his “ridiculous” golf club assault on Liverpool teammate John Arne Riise.

The bizarre and insane nature of the incident, which occurred prior to a Champions League match, garnered attention in 2007. In the Champions League last 16 of 2006/07, Barcelona was the reigning champions and Rafa Benitez’s team were the underdogs.

Liverpool faced a formidable challenge against Frank Rijkaard’s team, which featured adolescent sensation Lionel Messi. However, their preparations were impeded by reports of a physical altercation between Bellamy and Riise. Bellamy’s use of a golf club in Riise’s hotel room resulted in a headline-grabbing altercation, despite the fact that the event was intended to be a leisurely and tranquil build-up to the crucial match in the Algarve.

It is a narrative that has endured, particularly in light of Liverpool’s successful 2-1 victory at the Nou Camp, which featured both Bellamy and Riise on the scoresheet. Bellamy celebrated with a golf stroke.Bellamy disclosed the incident with Gary Neville on The Overlap in 2023, acknowledging that it caused him considerable embarrassment.

“It is not uncommon for us to travel to Portugal for the training camp,” Bellamy clarified. “Towards the conclusion of the event, we were permitted to enjoy a night out. However, prior to that, we were required to attend training sessions, and only after that was it permissible to play golf.”

“We were playing golf; I was accompanied by Robbie Fowler, John Arne Riise, and Steve Finnan. I questioned some of his [Riise’s] golf strokes or the location of the ball in my opinion. “I believed there were specific areas where it had progressed and ultimately reached a superior position.” It caused me some distress; I expressed to Finny,

“He’s deceiving.” “We consumed a few beverages during the evening, and karaoke songs ensued as a requirement for new players to perform a song during their initiation.” However, he [Riise] was required to perform a tune at our Christmas party, as he failed to attend, citing his intention to return to Norway.