Smith fined $1000 and banned from alcohol

[katestar676]

Just on ten news that he has been fined and banned from drinking alcohol for a year.

 

[The Colonel]

Eels' Smith fined, slapped with alcohol ban
Posted 15 minutes ago

Parramatta has fined half-back Tim Smith $1,000 and banned him from consuming alcohol for the 2008 season after the half-back swore and made obscene gestures to a member of the public last Sunday.

Smith was forced to confront a panel of Eels chief executive Denis Fitzgerald, football manager Andrew Hill and coach Michael Hagan this morning and explain his actions.

Smith admitted to having an alcohol problem and will continue to have counselling sessions with a specialist.

"We had a very positive meeting with Tim this morning and he was very sorry that his drunkenness and actions let down the club and its fans," Mr Fitzgerald said in a statement.

"He telephoned the complainant to apologise for any of his actions or words that may have offended the man and his family."

Smith's fine will be donated to Ronald McDonald House at Westmead.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/12/07/2112504.htm

 

[Hanscholo]

I find the fact that after several poor incidents the club needing to enforce a ban rather than smith himself saying no more is the real problem.

 

[smeghead]

Fair, even handed punishment really

 

[NGR]

smith would have to be on a fair bit there, 1k is a joke of a fine for him...

what happens if he drinks again? they will give him a 2k fine?

 

[Eelementary]

What did he do? He (and I quote), "swore and made obscene hand gestures."

True, people may take offense to it - but if you or I did that to the gentleman, a sincere apology would suffice.

Why, then, should he have to be fined 30% of his contract simply because he's a higher profile person than your average Joe? He didn't do anything terribly wrong - he got a little too drunk and swore at people and flipped them the bird. Not what you'd like to see, no - but there have been far more reprehensible actions in this world than that.

Having said that, seeing as though the money is going to a charity, I would have liked to have seen him get fined some more.

 

[philstorm]

No. If he drinks again, the Eels have decided to punish him by giving him $1k.

That'll teach him.

 

[Eelementary]

I suppose all you people unhappy with the situation know exactly what it's like to deal with an alcoholic.

 

[philstorm]

What did he do? He (and I quote), "swore and made obscene hand gestures."

True, people may take offense to it - but if you or I did that to the gentleman, a sincere apology would suffice.

Why, then, should he have to be fined 30% of his contract simply because he's a higher profile person than your average Joe? He didn't do anything terribly wrong - he got a little too drunk and swore at people and flipped them the bird. Not what you'd like to see, no - but there have been far more reprehensible actions in this world than that.

Having said that, seeing as though the money is going to a charity, I would have liked to have seen him get fined some more.

If it were any other Parra player - i'd agree with you. But the fact is that Smith has been in 'trouble' before for alchohol-related incidents. A $1k fine wont make any difference (and I doubt whether he'll even honour the alchohol ban).

 

[Eelementary]

I see what you're saying.

But the only thing I would have changed form his punishment is fining him a bit more - 3, 4 grand or something.

Other than that, forcing him to seek help and maybe suspending him until he proves he's in control wold have been sufficient (alongside an apology).

It's true you don't want to see NRL players swearing at fans and flipping them the bird - but to put it in perspective, there are far worse things that could happen.

I, for one, applaud the club for taking the stance of forcing him to seek help - in the club environment they can more easily monitor him and his progress and make sure he is, in fact, seeking help. If he was sacked altogether and no other club picked him up, he'd be a 22-year old with a drinking problem who probably would not try to resolve it on his own.

At least this way they are trying to fix his problem. If it doesn't work, I do suspect he'll have his contract torn up.

 

[philstorm]

I see what you're saying.

But the only thing I would have changed form his punishment is fining him a bit more - 3, 4 grand or something.

Other than that, forcing him to seek help and maybe suspending him until he proves he's in control wold have been sufficient (alongside an apology).

It's true you don't want to see NRL players swearing at fans and flipping them the bird - but to put it in perspective, there are far worse things that could happen.

I, for one, applaud the club for taking the stance of forcing him to seek help - in the club environment they can more easily monitor him and his progress and make sure he is, in fact, seeking help. If he was sacked altogether and no other club picked him up, he'd be a 22-year old with a drinking problem who probably would not try to resolve it on his own.

At least this way they are trying to fix his problem. If it doesn't work, I do suspect he'll have his contract torn up.

But if that's the case then, why weren't these things sanctioned upon Smith in the first place rather than allowing it to get to this stage?

 

[Special K]

wasnt he banned this year?

 

[Stagger eel]

If it were any other Parra player - i'd agree with you. But the fact is that Smith has been in 'trouble' before for alchohol-related incidents. A $1k fine wont make any difference (and I doubt whether he'll even honour the alchohol ban).

the fine definitely won't but the therapy sessions might...

infact, I would go as far as ignoring the fine, it means jack in this situation.

 

[The Colonel]

wasnt he banned this year?

He was off the grog during the season...... it is now the off-season.

 

[MSKnight]

He wont last a year.

 

[sharko]

Smith is an idiot, but an overpaid and underworked idiot , they are the worst type.
He cannot hold his grog, he gets aggressive and assaults and threatens to assault people.
He is also a liability on the football field..he will lose Parra more big games they he will win for them in 2008!

 

[sooperdooper]

If it were any other Parra player - i'd agree with you. But the fact is that Smith has been in 'trouble' before for alchohol-related incidents. A $1k fine wont make any difference (and I doubt whether he'll even honour the alchohol ban).

incidents? or do you mean incident...
The one where he turned up to training hungover etc?
as of the top of my head i recall two other incidents that were proven he was not at fault...
Santa thing and with Michael Clarke...so i really dont understand where people come from saying he has been involved in heaps of incidents. This is guilty number 2

 

[sooperdooper]

Smith is an idiot, but an overpaid and underworked idiot , they are the worst type.
He cannot hold his grog, he gets aggressive and assaults and threatens to assault people.
He is also a liability on the football field..he will lose Parra more big games they he will win for them in 2008!

you have shown you dont watch parra games...had a fine 2007 season. 3 seasons in the nrl with 2006 being his poor season

 

[Holla if ya hear me]

Smith is an idiot, but an overpaid and underworked idiot , they are the worst type.
He cannot hold his grog, he gets aggressive and assaults and threatens to assault people.
He is also a liability on the football field..he will lose Parra more big games they he will win for them in 2008!

maybe the first two lines are right but the last point is probably not right cause parra see someting in him
As a security guy i see the bird and stuff and more each n every time people get together to drink
I thin k the 1000 is to light..1000 to charity..big deal.Why not teach this lil idiot a lesson.10 000 minimum
I mean it is going to charity isnt it??.Smith would have written the cheque there and then and said thanks very much!

 

[themanonthehill]

Eels' Smith fined, slapped with alcohol ban
Posted 15 minutes ago

Parramatta has fined half-back Tim Smith $1,000 and banned him from consuming alcohol for the 2008 season after the half-back swore and made obscene gestures to a member of the public last Sunday.

Smith was forced to confront a panel of Eels chief executive Denis Fitzgerald, football manager Andrew Hill and coach Michael Hagan this morning and explain his actions.

Smith admitted to having an alcohol problem and will continue to have counselling sessions with a specialist.

"We had a very positive meeting with Tim this morning and he was very sorry that his drunkenness and actions let down the club and its fans," Mr Fitzgerald said in a statement.

"He telephoned the complainant to apologise for any of his actions or words that may have offended the man and his family."

Smith's fine will be donated to Ronald McDonald House at Westmead.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/12/07/2112504.htm

He should get on the pingers and toot now