LEIGH Centurions have suspended Ryan Brierley with immediate effect.

The board of directors highlighted their reasons in a statement this evening, while confirming that the scrum half earlier this week handed in four weeks' notice to terminate his contract.

The statement reads: "Given the serious number of recent breaches of confidential information surrounding Ryan Brierley the club has taken the decision to suspend him with immediate effect in order that we can fully investigate how these matters came into the public domain.

"During this time Ryan Brierley will not attend the club and will not be available for selection."

Going into more detail, the statement reads: "It is extremely concerning to again see confidential and sensitive information surrounding Leigh Centurions appearing in the public domain, particularly when it continually centres on Ryan Brierley.

"It can be confirmed that Ryan Brierley emailed the board of directors on Monday evening, 29th February 2016 purporting to give four weeks’ notice to terminate his contract with the club.

"The board responded to Ryan Brierley as we have previously done by outlining our position that we do not believe the alleged clause to be enforceable and confirming that he is contracted to the club until 30th November 2016.

"As the matter is being dealt with by the club’s legal advisors the club will not be commenting further on this.

"However, we can confirm that the club will explore all legal avenues to protect its interests which, if necessary, will include taking legal action against Ryan Brierley and any associated third party."

The statement continues: "On Tuesday 1st March 2016 (Leigh Centurions head coach) Neil Jukes informed club owner Derek Beaumont that he had spoken to Ryan Brierley to ascertain his reasons for purporting to invoke the alleged clause, given he had continually stated privately and in public that he was committed to Leigh Centurions until the end of 2016 and wanted to achieve Super League with the club.

"Derek was informed by Neil that Ryan Brierley stated another Championship Club (named by Ryan Brierley as Bradford Bulls) had made him a lucrative offer until the end of the season and that he would then be a free agent. However, should his contract be increased by £15,000 then he would consider staying.

"Derek informed Neil that the board would consider the club’s position for a few days and that Derek would speak to Ryan Brierley at the appropriate time.

"The board was therefore saddened and disappointed to see the information detailed on Sky Sports along with pictures of Ryan Brierley at the game prior to Derek having the opportunity to discuss this with him."

The statement concludes: "The club has faced some difficult times recently with continuous injuries on the field and various issues off it.

"However, we are all confident that Neil and the team are pulling together and will fight hard through this adversity.

"We will be a very strong group once we come out the other side. The board of directors would like to take this opportunity to thank our loyal fans for their continued support which is greatly appreciated."