Wigan Warriors confirmed on Monday that Martin Gleeson has left the club in the wake of both disciplinary and personal problems.
Disciplinary and personal problems prompt early departure of former Great Britain centre
Wigan Warriors confirmed on Monday that Martin Gleeson has left the club in the wake of both disciplinary and personal problems.
The former Great Britain centre has not played for the Super League champions since the World Club Challenge just over a month ago amid rumours that the club had attempted to sever his contract.
The Warriors had previously refused to comment on the matter, but have now confirmed the 30-year-old's exit with 18 months of his contract still to run and also cited the reasons for his departure.
Gleeson, who earlier this year made a complaint to police about an alleged blackmail which he later withdrew, is thought to have been ordered home after turning up at the club in an unfit state to train on the eve of the game against Salford on March 4.
Distraction
A statement from Wigan said: "Following a difficult recent period including injuries, a minor disciplinary offence and a serious distraction in his personal life in which he was the victim - all of which have made it impossible for him to focus properly on his career to the extent required by both club and player - Martin Gleeson has left Wigan with immediate effect.
"He will take a break to re-focus before deciding on his future career direction."
Gleeson played for Huddersfield, St Helens and Warrington before joining his home-town club for a six-figure fee in April 2009.
He made his 54th and final appearance in Wigan's 21-15 defeat by St George Illawarra on February 27 before coming off with a recurrence of a hamstring injury.
Gleeson, who was dropped to Wigan's reserves last season as a disciplinary measure, also courted controversy for his part in the 2004 St Helens betting scandal.
He and Sean Long were discovered to have bet on their own team to lose a Super League game at Bradford.
Gleeson was handed a four-month ban by a Rugby Football League tribunal and transferred to Warrington later that year for a record £200,000 fee.
Proud
Despite the ups and downs of his career to date, though, Gleeson is not expected to have difficulty finding a new club.
He was among the crowd for last Friday's match between Hull and Castleford while Salford football director Steve Simms recently expressed an interest.
In a statement, Gleeson said: "I am very proud to have represented my home-town club and am most grateful to the club management and, in particular, Ian Lenagan for the support given to me over this difficult period."
Wigan say neither they nor Gleeson will be making any further comment.
