Eels officials clear Smith

Parramatta rugby league club officials have cleared halfback Tim Smith of any wrongdoing after an allegation he was involved in a drunken incident yesterday.

The finding came after a radio station reported that Smith was allegedly refused service and kicked out of a Sydney pub yesterday along with teammate Eric Grothe. Parramatta CEO Denis Fitzgerald says Smith had left the premises before a group of patrons ? including winger Eric Grothe - was asked by management to leave.

Fitzgerald also says the drink seen in front of Smith on the hotel's closed circuit television footage was water, not alcohol. 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.