Premiership: O'Leary blasts Woodgate and Bowyer

David O'Leary has criticised Jonathan Woodgate and Lee Bowyer following their trial on grievous bodily harm charges.

The duo were cleared by a jury at Hull Crown Court of causing grievous bodily harm to student Sarfraz Najeib.

Woodgate was found guilty of the lesser charge of affray.

"Whatever the court decided, they were guilty in my eyes for failing to exercise control, lacking in responsibility and for failing to behave as professional footballers should," O'Leary said.

"What did they think they were doing, boozed up and running through the streets? Was that not inviting trouble?"

O'Leary said the problem was not confined to Leeds United.

"You see it at every club in the Premiership. British players should ask themselves, why is it that you never see foreign players getting drunk, abusing their bodies and hogging the headlines for misbehaviour?

He also criticises the Football Association, who refused to consider Bowyer and Woodgate for England selection during the two trials, saying: "They have handled this disgracefully. I am disgusted with the way Lee has been treated.

"You are innocent until proven guilty in this country, but they denied Lee the chance to play for his country when he should have been available."