Thursday 3 March 2016 10:32, UK
Sydney Roosters scrum-half Mitchell Pearce has been banned for eight games and fined Aus$125,000 (£65,000) as punishment for a lewd act involving a dog.
Pearce was caught on camera staggering around during Australia Day celebrations on January 26 before launching into an expletive-laden rant.
The NRL and the Roosters club reportedly reached an agreement over the scale of the sanction, with Pearce allowed to return to play again in round nine of the competition against the Newcastle Knights in the last week of April.
It is believed to be the heaviest fine - Aus$50,000 was suspended for two years - on a player in Australian rugby league history.
"This was a complex and unprecedented matter that required careful consideration. It was paramount we delivered the appropriate level of discipline, but neither could we ignore the player welfare component," Roosters chief executive John Lee said.
"It was pleasing to see that Mitchell contacted our chairman Nick Politis and suggested that the lengthy stint on the sideline was what he deserved."
Pearce was stood down from training with the Roosters and lost the team's captaincy after he was caught on camera.
The 26-year-old, who apologised and admitted he had an alcohol problem, was sent to a rehabilitation centre in Thailand and only returned home this week after four weeks at the facility.
The player said he would use the time out of the game to continue his rehab and work on decision making.
"Firstly, for any hurt or damage I've caused anyone, especially my family, the club and the NRL, I again apologise," Pearce said.
"Now that this has been decided, I can get on with my rehab, bunker down with training and work each day on making the right choices in what I do."
