Eels cleared of misconduct

NO action will be taken against the four Parramatta players after the NRL club today officially cleared them of misconduct during an alleged incident last week.

Parramatta boss Denis Fitzgerald and Eels management completed their full investigation into last Thursday's alleged incident at Sydney's Intersection Hotel in Ramsgate involving Tim Smith, Eric Grothe, Daniel Wagon and Ben Smith.

Tim Smith was alleged to have been drinking at the establishment, breaking a self-imposed alcohol ban he had made earlier in the year after a series of off-field problems.

While Grothe was alleged to have been ejected for being too intoxicated.

But Eels investigations found that Smith had not been drinking and Grothe was not directly asked to leave the premises, but a member of the public drinking with the players was refused service.

Fitzgerald cleared all four players of any wrongdoing, but warned his players to be mindful of their off-field behaviour – particularly when in licensed premises.

"I warned the players about being very careful when they entered licensed premises as it appears with their profile any member of the public can make accusations and some media outlets will run those allegations without checking the veracity of them," Fitzgerald said in a statement.

The licensee of the Intersection Hotel told the Eels the players are welcome at the premises at any time.