George Burgess will be free to continue playing for the St George Illawarra Dragons, despite his ongoing criminal case.
Burgess was last week charged by police with “sexually touching another person without consent” and will face court next month.
While he was originally named in the extended squad for the Dragons in their loss to Cronulla, he did not end up playing.
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“The 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,” a statement from the governing body read.
The no-fault stand-down policy, giving the NRL discretionary power to stand a player down who is facing serious criminal charges, was introduced in March 2019.
It will not be used in this case.
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“So as not to prejudice Burgess’ criminal proceedings case, the NRL will await the outcome of that case before taking any action for possible breaches of NRL rules,” the NRL said.
“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.”
Burgess, 29, returned to the NRL with the Dragons this season after leaving the NRL in 2020 to join English Super League side Wigan.
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