Allan Smart has been sacked by Athletic after his arrest last week. Smart appeared before Oldham magistrates on Monday charged with assault and public order offences. Smart said, “I can confirm I have received a letterterminating my contract and I am devastated by it. I am taking legal advice and, you can understand, because of that I cannot make any further comment.”
Smart and Paul Murray were arrested last Wednesday following a brawl outside Chadderton Police Station that left two police officers injured. They had just returned from a golfing trip. Smart was already on bail following an earlier incident last year.
A statement was issued by the club which said, “Allan Smart has had his contract with the club cancelled due to two serious breaches of the club's rules since joining Latics in November, 2001. The board of directors has taken the decision after reviewing Smart's recent breach of club rules in addition to a similar transgression in December, 2001.”
Alan Hardy added, “Following the first incident, Allan Smart was disciplined by the head coach and warned about his future conduct. The club feels it has no alternative but to avail itself of the provisions within the player's contract. This decision has been taken purely on the player's breach of club rules and his failure to abide by the instructions given to him by the head coach. It is divorced from any court proceedings that are pending.”