Ecca clear aswell
http://www.nrl.com.au/News/Latest/NewsArticle/tabid/76/NewsId/2594/Default.aspx
Eels' drink slur outrages Smith's agent
Friday, August 18, 2006 - 5:55 PM
Tim Smith's management is furious the Parramatta halfback was forced to defend himself against "outlandish and unsubstantiated" allegations he was involved in a drunken incident at a Sydney Hotel.
Eels officials have cleared both winger Eric Grothe and Smith of any wrongdoing after it was alleged the pair had been involved in alcohol-fuelled incident at the Intersection Tavern.
The finding came after a radio station reported that both Smith and Grothe had allegedly been refused service and kicked out of the Ramsgate pub.
"It's a beat up, probably from some guy who doesn't like Parramatta," said Smith's manager, David Riolo.
"I've got to be forthright and I've got to get on the front foot - (players) have a responsibility, but not when any person from the moronic masses comes out and makes an outlandish and unsubstantiated statement and makes it into a story.
"As far as I'm concerned, as Tim Smith's agent, you've just got some guy making baseless claims.
"Is he drinking? Where's he from? What's his motivation? I can't answer that but for me it's just a beat up.
"Tim Smith is doing the right thing, trying to get his shoulder right and get back onto the field.
"He was home in bed by 10 o'clock and didn't consume a single alcoholic beverage.
"He doesn't need this, especially when he hasn't done anything."
Smith was warned by Parramatta in June that he would be fined $10,000 and his contract would be in jeopardy if he was caught drinking again after several alcohol-related incidents.
"I'm just happy I've been cleared and just want to get back to training, hopefully get back before the season finishes," Smith said.
"That's all I've got to say about that."
Riolo was livid Smith even had to defend himself.
"Why should he have to put his side of things forward when nothing happened anyway?" he said.
"This is rubbish."
Eels CEO Denis Fitzgerald confirmed Smith had left the premises before a group of patrons - including winger Eric Grothe - was asked by management to leave.
The hotel's CCTV footage showed Smith left the hotel at 8:12pm - 17 minutes before the rest of the party were asked to finish their drinks and leave the establishment.
The Eels also confirmed Smith's claim that he didn't consume a single alcoholic beverage after watching the footage and speaking to hotel management.
Grothe was also cleared of "culpability", according to Parramatta general manager Greg Mitchell.
Smith was fined $1,000 by the club for a drunken scuffle with Test cricketer Michael Clarke at a pub in Cronulla in June and agreed not to drink for the rest of the season.
He also turned up to training affected by alcohol on May 15, the same day Brian Smith quit the club as coach.
"Everybody in the club has had confidence in Tim's commitment to resolve the issues that caused him some concern earlier in the year," Mitchell said.
"He's certainly now maturing and understands he has broader obligations than just the game on the field."
Mitchell ruled out taking any action against the radio station.
