Should Leeds sell Bowyer?

Leeds United star Lee Bowyer is placed on the transfer list with immediate effect after refusing to accept a club fine of four weeks' wages.

Are Leeds right to put him up for sale?

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

Team-mate Jonathan Woodgate was found guilty of affray and ordered to serve 100 hours' community service.

Woodgate has been fined eight weeks' wages by Leeds and asked to work within their community programme - a decision that he has accepted.

Bowyer was fined four weeks' wages, but has refused to accept the club's decision and been placed on the transfer list as a result.

Although the court cleared him, the club say that Bowyer breached their code of conduct by being under the influence of alcohol on the night of the attack.

Do you support Bowyer's refusal to accept the fine? Or are the club right to place him up for sale?

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I am shocked by the extent to which Leeds fans defend or sympathize with Bowyer. As football supporters, we all have a responsibility to assess Bwoyer's conduct, without hiding behind a court's finding. Personally I have vowed not to watch any games in which Bowyer or Woodgate might take part. If either player gets into the England squad, millions of fans will be ashamed.
Will, UK

Lee Bowyer has a past record for indiscipline and he obviously has a problem with his behaviour, but let us not lose sight of the fact that a jury has found him not guilty of all offences and the only thing he is being accused of is breaking club rules by drinking too much.

He is not the first footballer to be guilty of that and his punishment seems extreme. This looks to be case of double jeopardy. Whether or not we agree with the jury he was found not guilty and it is wrong to try to punish him via the back door.
Jack Mayers, England

Bowyer was innocent so should be treated as so. Although he was drunk, and should take is punishment from the club who stood by him.
Wayne Dentith, England

Leeds United have made a grave mistake in placing Lee Bowyer on the transfer list

Alex, United Kingdom

Guilty or not, he and Woodgate have dragged the Leeds name through the gutter, he should accept and respect the club's rules. If he can't then that should amount to breach of contract and therefore he should be sacked not transferred. Football clubs should crack down more heavily on these young, overpaid, ungrateful thugs.
Tim, UK

Leeds United have made a grave mistake in placing Lee Bowyer on the transfer list. The team will be unbalanced without him and will rely too heavily on Harry Kewell for midfield penetration. However, my main concern in this sad affair is for a promising, composed central defender called Jonathan Woodgate...who once looked international class, but now appears unlikely to fulfil his once blossoming potential.
Alex, United Kingdom.

Clearly Leeds are mad to sell one of England's hottest prospects. He is as good as Beckham. He is Leeds' most hard working, dedicated player and they want to sell - they are crazy and for £15m, that is nothing for a young lad with the world at his feet.
Mitchell, England

Who will want to buy him? He will have to go abroad.
Martin Swash, England

All this talk of Bowyer's 'ordeal' and 'victimisation' makes me sick

Roland, Brit living in France

There is no denying that he is an exceptional player, and I'm a Man Utd fan, but Leeds are better off without someone like him.
Pel, Leeds, England

Does anybody honestly think Bowyer came up with this idea himself. Let's ask his agent or his lawyer what's in it for them.
John Stack, Boston, USA

All this talk of Bowyer's 'ordeal' and 'victimisation' makes me sick. Let's not forget that the real victim in this affair is Mr Najeib, who will have to live with the psychological and mental scars of the attack. Leeds are reprimanding him for standards of conduct (being drunk, lying to the police) that are not worthy of his profession.

Bowyer's actions smack of arrogance and a spoiled attitude, and if he feels 'victimised', I suggest he puts himself in Mr. Najeib's shoes! He should pay up, shut up and take it like a man, turn over a new leaf, like Woodgate has.
Roland, Brit living in France

He deserves to be fined, but four weeks' wages is a lot for anybody and exceeds the limit allowed

R Salthouse, England

Bowyer may have been found innocent, but has been branded a liar, and was certainly in breach of the club's code of conduct by being drunk, so he should have expected to pay the penalty for this.

Leeds United cannot be faulted for the loyalty that they have shown to Bowyer and Woodgate whilst awaiting the outcome of the trial. Lee Bowyer should accept this, pay his fine and continue with his career at the club. I don't honestly think that he would be half the player at any other club; he should stay at Elland Road and will regret it if he doesn't.
Philippa Corson, UK

Bowyer was found not guilty of the charges, but has admitted being drunk. He deserves to be fined, but four weeks' wages is a lot for anybody and exceeds the limit allowed. However, Leeds could have done this as soon as the problem surfaced. Bowyer, though, should swallow his pride, pay up and save his career.
R Salthouse, England

If he was as dedicated to Leeds as everyone thought he would just put up and shut up

Alex Herman, UK

Providing the all players are made aware of what is expected of them in the club's code of conduct, then Bowyer should pay a fine. Maybe the size of the fine was too much when you consider the PFA's maximum is only two weeks worth, but that aside, if Jonathon Woodgate can turn around and say that he is willing to forfeit eight weeks' money then I am sure that Bowyer can afford to hand over four weeks'. What he has to remember is that this fine is for being drunk not for beating someone in the street.
Malcolm Williams, UK

I agree completely with Bowyer - he is being victimised. Whatever these guys may have got up to, they have more than paid for it over the past agonising year. Don't forget the legal verdict was that Bowyer was totally acquitted. Whether rightly or wrongly is an entirely different debate! Nevertheless, in law, he is innocent and now he is being victimised by Leeds United. I don't blame him one bit for feeling as he does. It will be Leeds United's loss and I hope they really regret it (and that is spoken as a life-long Leeds supporter but NO MORE).
Tony Hague, England

Lee, write the cheque and get on with it! Four weeks' wages will seem like small potatoes down the road, and you'll regret the decision if you don't. You can go a long way in negating your questionable conduct and advancing your career. LUFC deserve the same type of commitment they've offered you throughout this ugly affair.
Ken Bowman, Canada

I agree with an earlier comment that Leeds should have fined Bowyer at the very outset if they intended to on the grounds of being drunk. To do so now smacks of a huge PR exercise and I can understand why Bowyer, who was found innocent of the charges would be upset at this action. As a Leeds fan, we must always back the club as no single individual is bigger than LUFC, but I think that on this occasion the board, who have been magnificent during recent events, may have got it wrong.
Kit Meadows, Leeds, UK

For a team in fourth position with a lot of expectation on them, this is a real gamble

David, UK

Considering the fine is a drop in the ocean for Lee Bowyer, one has to question his commitment to the club if he feels he can't part with the money and help the community that made him the footballer he is today. If he was as dedicated to Leeds as everyone thought he would just put up and shut up.
Alex Herman, UK

Leeds have stood by Lee Bowyer all the way through this affair, he should shut up and pay up and therefore take it like a man. He should be grateful that the club are still giving him the opportunity to carry on his career.
Chris Watts, UK

Frankly as a supporter of another Premiership club, I'm amazed at this. He was found not guilty, but still broke the code of conduct for the club, so he has to have some recourse against his involvement in the case.

However, the manner in which this is delivered is bound to affect the outcome, and the belligerent stance of O'Leary and Ridsdale over the last couple of days doesn't inspire too much confidence in their management skills.

For a team in fourth position with a lot of expectation on them, this is a real gamble. If it proves to be the acid test for O'Leary I think it might be a step too far - undoubtedly Man Utd will be watching closely and if this doesn't put them off the genial Irishman, nothing will.
David, UK

Leeds United are treating Lee Boyer unfairly

Peter, UK

I've been a Leeds supporter for a long time but what Bowyer and Woodgate did was terrible. I think Leeds should sell Bowyer. AT least Woodgate is showing some signs he wants to make amends!
K Ryatt, UK

I think this is the first honourable thing Leeds have done in this affair in a long time.
Rob, UK

I can't believe that Leeds are going to blow their chance of the Championship and Europe by letting him go. The results over the last few weeks have shown that they seriously need him.
Mikey P, UK

Leeds United are treating Lee Boyer unfairly. A fine of four weeks wages is excessive for a breach of club discipline. The club seem to be giving Bowyer their own sentence of a fine plus community service. A Court found him not guilty of all charges. Leeds United will be the losers if they sell Bowyer.
Peter, UK

He should count himself lucky he's not in worse trouble with the law

Wilbert, UK

Most people reading this don't get away with breaking company rules. Why should Bowyer? Leeds are well within their rights to do this and I applaud their tough stance. It must have been a difficult decision considering how good a player he is.
Andrew Hewitt, England

Unless Leeds can replace Bowyer quickly their title ambitions will be over, but they are correct to sell if he refuses to abide to their disciplinary conditions. He would be a great player for Sunderland to sign, available and a great improvement, bet Reid won't even make a reasonable bid.
Andy, England

He should count himself lucky he's not in worse trouble with the law. There is a pending civil action coming, and to show such petulance to the club and fans that supported him is simply inexcusable.

LUFC stood by him through several 'incidents ' and now he thinks that innocence in the court means he's innocent of breaking contract stipulated codes of behaviour for a professional footballer. He's already admitted to being drunk that night. Therefore he should pay his fine, thank his lucky stars and start trying to get clear of his reputation as a drunken thug that thinks his celebrity is some sort of legal shield.
Wilbert, UK

Bowyer needs to think long and hard before he makes any rash decisions. He is idolised by the fans and is a firm favourite up here at Elland Road. Remember this is punishment for breaking the club code of conduct not for anything else. If Ridsdale doesn't put his foot down now then others are going to take advantage of it. Come on Lee, we love you, pay the fine and lead England and us to success.
Dave Hillerby - Leeds fan, UK

All Bowyer has done is prolong his own ordeal and cause more problems for himself

Chris Warr, England

Bowyer signed a contract with Leeds as a professional footballer. His actions on that night were not professional, and if he worked in any other industry he would have been sacked - I can't imagine my company standing up for me if I were done for being drunken disorderly. Grow up Lee!
Mark, Essex - UK

The whole situation beggars belief. How can someone be found not guilty and still be punished? Lee Bowyer has every right to refuse to accept the fine and should feel very aggrieved at the way he's been treated by the club and the press. Apparently it is the press who decide who's guilty and innocent now not the courts.
Dean, England

The matter of the attack is no longer the issue. Bowyer, by his own admission, was out drinking and therefore broke the code of conduct set out by Leeds. This punishment should be served, taken and best left in the past. All Bowyer has done is prolong his own ordeal and cause more problems for himself personally, and the club publicly.
Chris Warr, England

No player is bigger than the club they represent. What Leeds have done is wholly independent of the decision in the court. The court found him not guilty with respect to the charges he was faced with. Had one of those charges been breaking the code of conduct of his club and employer, he would have been found guilty. He should accept his punishment at club level and get on with it. If he can't, who is going to want to employ him?
Richard Gladwin, UK

Lee Bowyer is a fantastic player and will be a great loss to Leeds if he is sold. I can understand his frustration at Leeds' decision after having been found not guilty in a court of law. Perhaps the fine should have been imposed when the club first knew he was drunk in Leeds?
Graeme Parsons, UK

He is the fans' favourite, and he was found not guilty of any charges against him

Claire Allan, England

The court may have acquitted Bowyer, but the club would seem entirely justified in fining the player on the grounds of lying to the police, breaking club rules relating to the consumption of alcohol and involvement in a case that has brought shame on his club and the city of Leeds. A little bit of humility and remorse on the part of Bowyer would seem to be in order in my view, but his refusal to accept the fine levied against him is all too indicative of the arrogance and egotism that most likely landed Bowyer in trouble in the first place.
Matthew, UK

This is a huge mistake. He is the fans' favourite, and he was found not guilty of any charges against him. I feel this is a PR exercise by the club because the media have done nothing but put us down for weeks! Speaking to my friends this afternoon I can say the general feeling is against the club with a few saying they would boycott matches if Leeds don't change their mind. Bowyer for England! Please stay Lee - the fans love you!
Claire Allan, England

Back down Lee, take your punishment like a man and get on board the train to success with both Leeds and England. If you want to know the alternative, ask Stan Collymore!
Andy, Leeds Fan, UK

The boy is a liability. I'm not denying he is a fantastic footballer, but having him in your team is a risk.
Dave, UK

Regardless of the outcome of the trial, Bowyer broke the Club's code of conduct when he got drunk in Leeds on the night of the Sarfraz Najeib incident and should take his punishment on the chin.
Dan Williams, UK

Lee Bowyer has every right to feel very aggrieved at his treatment

Ben Colbeck, UK

Lee Bowyer might have been found not guilty but he has broken the club's code of conduct and refused to front the club's community programme. This puts him in disagreement with the club and the club can sell his registration. Good luck to anyone who dares to sign him.
Neil, UK

Bowyer at least owes it to the club that stood by him throughout two trials to pay back some of the huge legal expenses that the club incurred on his behalf.
John Hobson, UK

No. Lee Bowyer was found not guilty on both charges and is innocent. You cant fine him for something he hasn't done.
Alex, England

The attack on Safraz Najeib was a vile cowardly act, but that does not change the fact that Lee Bowyer was found innocent in a court of law. Lee Bowyer has every right to feel very aggrieved at his treatment. People in this country should have their guilt determined by a court of law not by the press.
Ben Colbeck, UK