Morris to take 10-day leave of absence

Leeds midfielder Jody Morris has agreed to take a 10-day leave of absence to allow the club to conclude an internal investigation…

Leeds midfielder Jody Morris has agreed to take a 10-day leave of absence to allow the club to conclude an internal investigation.

Morris was arrested for a second time earlier this week following allegations made against the 24-year-old of a second serious sexual assault.

A West Yorkshire police spokesman confirmed the alleged incident happened some time ago, but only recently came to light during an on-going investigation into a separate matter.

Earlier this month Morris was arrested and bailed by police investigating an allegation that a 20-year-old woman was sexually assaulted in the Leeds area.

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On that occasion, Morris was initially detained at the team's training ground at Thorp Arch, before later being quizzed by detectives at a Leeds police station, along with a second man, prior to his release.

Following a meeting which then followed between Leeds officials, Morris and his solicitor, the club chose to suspend the player pending the investigation.

That suspension came to a conclusion yesterday at which point a further meeting was held, resulting in the latest outcome. A club statement today read:

"Leeds United AFC had a constructive and helpful meeting with Angus McBride, solicitor for Jody Morris, and Mick McGuire, deputy chief executive of the Professional Footballers' Association.

"Jody Morris has agreed to take a 10-day leave of absence. It is emphasised that this agreement should not be interpreted as any admission of wrongdoing by the player.

"Matters will be resolved within this period in accordance with the standard form of the player's contract."

Morris now misses Leeds' next three matches, starting with tomorrow's trip to Liverpool and followed by Tuesday's Carling Cup clash against Manchester United at Elland Road and then next Saturday's home league clash with Arsenal.