Source: PA
Bluebirds have addressed allegations
Cardiff have released a statement insisting they have internally addressed allegations that a small number of their players were out `socialising` just over 48 hours before their automatic promotions hopes were ended.
According to media reports on Wednesday, manager Dave Jones had cleared his squad to attend a supporters` player of the year awards do last Friday evening as long as they remained sober and returned straight home afterwards. It is alleged some players continued into the Welsh capital after the ceremony for a drinking session which went on late into the night.
Cardiff duly lost Monday evening`s crucial promotion clash at home to Middlesbrough, putting in an uncharacteristically poor performance to ship three goals inside the opening 21 minutes and eventually lose 3-0. It was a result which left Norwich to wrap up second spot and automatic promotion just hours later.
Jones was said to be furious after discovering the news while the reported events have not gone down well with Bluebirds supporters, who will now see their side compete in the play-offs for a second successive season.
Responding to the allegations, a club spokesman said: "Cardiff City Football Club are aware of the allegations concerning socialising by a small minority of players in the days leading up to the Middlesbrough league fixture.
"We would like to make it known the allegations have been addressed internally and the full focus of club staff and the whole squad is now on our final league game of the season at Burnley on Saturday."
