Clooney withdraws from union after 'Leatherheads' snub

George Clooney has withdrawn from the Writers Guild of America (WGA) after the union rejected his request for a writing credit on new movie 'Leatherheads'.

The star directed, produced and starred in the football-focused film but sought acknowledgement for his contribution to the script, alongside writers Duncan Brantley and Rick Reilly.

But his request was denied and, angered by the snub, Clooney reportedly decided to quit the union.

He tells Variety.com: "When your own union doesn't back what you've done, the only honourable thing to do is not participate."

However, according to the website, the actor changed his mind and chose only to downgrade his membership, as leaving the union completely would have left him unable to work on all WGA-covered projects.

The move, which is irrevocable, means Clooney is still covered by his basic contract, but loses his voting rights and will no longer be allowed to attend WGA meetings.

Clooney reportedly withdrew from the union last year but kept the news quiet in a bid to avoid moving attention away from the union's strike, which ran from November 2007 until February 2008.