Rugby has spread its alcohol infection to the pure sport of BoganBall!

Smith fined, banned from booze

December 7, 2007 - 12:34PM

Parramatta halfback Tim Smith has been slapped with a $1000 fine and a booze ban following his latest alcohol fuelled incident.

The 22-year-old met with Eels chief executive Denis Fitzgerald, coach Michael Hagan and football manager Andrew Hill today after he was accused of harassing a Sydney grandfather while drunk on Sunday.

"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," 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."

The club has banned Smith from drinking alcohol until the end of the 2008 season and will donate his fine to charity.

"Tim admitted he has a problem with alcohol and will continue to have counselling sessions with a leading specialist in alcohol related behaviour," Hagan said in the statement.

The Eels threatened to terminate Smith's contract last year after a series of alcohol-related incidents.

Meanwhile, the Eels have moved to douse the controversy stirred up by the renaming of the Ray Price Lounge at Parramatta Stadium.

Legendary former lock Price hit out at the decision to rename the lounge the Cumberland Lounge.

"The decision to change the name of the Ray Price Lounge was made by the NSW Government-appointed Parramatta Stadium Trust," a statement from the Eels read.

"The Parramatta Eels football office was advised of the change following this decision.

"Whilst Denis Fitzgerald is a trustee of the Parramatta Stadium Trust he was not present at the meeting when the decision was made to change the name.

"The Stadium has advised that the Ray Price Lounge is being re-named the Cumberland Lounge and the once named Cumberland Suite (a corporate facility) is being re-named the Ray Price Suite which Ray was personally notified of last week in writing by the Parramatta Stadium Trust."

AAP