Doncaster chairman criticises Man City over Bellamy loan

Doncaster Rovers chairman John Ryan has launched a scathing attack on Manchester City over their decision to allow Craig Bellamy to move to Cardiff City on a year-long loan.

Bellamy joined his home-town club last week and made an immediate impact in his inaugural Championship match. The 31-year-old scored a fine free-kick and created two goals for team-mates in a 4-0 victory over Doncaster.

The Welsh international had become surplus to requirements at Manchester City – a difference of opinions with manager Roberto Mancini and a very public airing of his complaints over the Italian’s stewardship led to his Eastlands exit.

However, Rovers chairman Ryan believes the decision to allow Bellamy to leave on loan to a Championship side will have a detrimental effect on other clubs and upset the balance of the league.

“Craig Bellamy’s loan move to Cardiff will distort the integrity of the Championship,” said Ryan. “It is an incredibly competitive division.

“Handing a striker of Bellamy’s quality to Cardiff – and paying most of his wages – undermines the sanctity of the competition.

“Manchester City shouldn’t have done that. I feel let down by that, as do many other Championship chairmen.

“In no way do I blame Cardiff. I’d have been delighted to sign Craig at the Keepmoat, so it’s not sour grapes.

“But if everyone goes to Cardiff and gets slammed 4-0 like us – and remember on-loan Bellamy scored one and set up two on Saturday – the result will be an unfair competition because Manchester City are bankrolling Cardiff’s success.”

Ryan stated his belief that the loan system should be utilised to help young players develop.

“The loan system should be about sending out youngsters to become better footballers. That’s what we do. Last year we took Jay Emmanuel-Thomas from Arsenal and Jordan Mutch from Birmingham,” he added.

“There’s no doubting that Bellamy will make Cardiff a better side, but no club in the Championship would be able to afford such a talent without the goodwill of the Premier League team.

“I say ‘goodwill’, but it’s more about control. The control the Premier League elite have over the rest of football.”