Leeds reject Bowyer claim

Bowyer has refused to accept Leeds' disciplinary action

Leeds United chairman Peter Ridsdale has rejected transfer-listed Lee Bowyer's accusation that he is being forced out of Elland Road.

Bowyer was found not guilty of affray and grievous bodily harm with intent in relation to an assault on Asian student Sarfraz Najeib.

But he was put up for sale after refusing to accept a fine - thought to be around £90,000 - imposed by the club for breaking a code of conduct on the night of the attack.

Bowyer claimed he was being "victimised" - an allegation fiercely denied by Ridsdale.

He said: "That's absolute nonsense. We said at the time the original charges were brought against a number of our players that once the trial was out of the way we would take internal disciplinary action against any who had broken our code of conduct on behaviour.

"The compromise is clear. The club has every right to ask players, whoever they may be and who have breached club discipline, to accept they need to re-establish themselves as role models in the community.

"Given how much professional footballers earn these days, I do not think it is too much to accept that Lee should pay a fine of four weeks' wages, which we would put into the community - it's not as if the club are saving this money - and that he should continue to work with Jonathan (Woodgate) and others in our community programme.

"I sincerely hope Lee will talk to us on Wednesday, with or without his agent, and agree that what we are asking for is not unreasonable given the unique circumstances which have happened over the last 23 months.

Ridsdale does not want to sell

"We want Lee to play football for Leeds United. He is a very valuable member of the squad, but I think to not accept a fine in addition to the two-week maximum, given the circumstances, is wrong of Lee.

"People may say the fine is severe, but there are a number of people who would turn around and look at us - had we imposed a two-week fine - and said it was insufficient.

"Lee, by his own admission, had an excess of alcohol on the night in question in January 2000.

"We take very strongly that these players are role models and it is inappropriate to be in a city centre late at night as a professional footballer with an excess of alcohol in the body. We think we need to demonstrate that."

Ridsdale added: "Jonathan Woodgate's eight-week fine is probably the highest on record in football, but one he has accepted with good grace."

But Bowyer was unhappy, explaining: "The club appears to be victimising me and forcing me out, having attempted to impose an unfair penalty by agreement.

"Leeds United have placed me on the transfer list against my wishes. This follows a club disciplinary hearing to which I was not invited.

"The club informed me that if I do not accept the punishment imposed, which is in excess of the PFA maximum, then I would not be selected for the first team and would be placed on the transfer list."

"Having been acquitted of both charges at my recent trial, I was hoping to put this matter behind me and focus on doing my best for Leeds United and the supporters."

Click here to read full Leeds statement