The NRL has confirmed its own, No Fault Standdown Policy will not apply to St George Illawarra Dragons player George Burgess, despite the forward being charged with sexually touching another person without consent.
The 29-year-old Englishman was last week arrested and charged after a woman told police she had been sexually touched by a man known to her on March 8 at a Sydney home.
The league has previously committed itself to a tough stance on crimes involving women.
In March 2019, the NRL brought in the policy, which stands down players facing criminal offences and serious offences that carry a maximum jail term of 11 years or more.
The charge of sexual touching carries a maximum penalty of five years' imprisonment.
"Our job is to rebuild the reputation and protect the game," Mr Beattie said at the time.
"That reputation has been damaged, this is about a standard that's accepted."
Jack de Belin, of the Dragons, was the first player subject to the policy.
He was sidelined for more than two years until charges against him were formally withdrawn in 2021.
In this case though, the NRL will allow Burgess to keep playing while he is before the courts, and the 29-year-old will be up for selection when the Dragons face the Parramatta Eels this weekend in round four.
"The National Rugby League [NRL] has advised the St George Illawarra Dragons that player George Burgess will be permitted to continue playing in the NRL Premiership while subject to criminal proceedings," the NRL said in a statement.
The policy gives the NRL chief executive discretion to apply the policy for offences that carry less than 11 years' jail.
In Burgess's case, the NRL has decided not to implement a ban, for now.
"So, as not to prejudice Burgess's criminal proceedings case, the NRL will wait the outcome of that case before taking any action for possible breaches of NRL rules," it said in its statement.
"The decision in no way forms a judgement on the allegations against Burgess, which are serious, and the NRL reserves the right to impose a no-fault stand-down in the future."
Meanwhile, the Dragons chose not to play Burgess in last Thursday's 24-point loss to the Cronulla Sharks, despite naming him in a 24-man squad two days earlier.
"The St George Illawarra Dragons acknowledge the NRL's decision to not enforce the no-fault stand-down policy on player George Burgess," the Dragons said in a statement.
"Burgess will continue to train with the team and be considered for first-grade selection."
George Burgess is due to face court on April 13 in Sydney.
