“The no-fault stand down rule upholds the values of the game,protects the game’s commercial relationships and provides safeguards for the very small number of players who find themselves the subject of serious criminal charges.

“This is an example of our processes working. Jack continued to be employed by the club and was able to extend his contract with the Dragons during the process. The rule worked as it should.

“Once there are no longer charges against him,Jack will be free to play. Our welfare team will continue to liaise closely with the Dragons.”

The Dragons were unable to terminate de Belin’s contract over fears the club would be sued if he wasn’t convicted. It meant they had to pay the entirety of his existing contract,a seven-figure amount,despite the fact he wasn’t available for selection.

“It’s an incredible imposition on the club that is a direct result of the no-fault stand down,” Gordon said. “It’s a very hard one to swallow for any club.

“You can’t replace him with anybody else effectively,you don’t have any more funds or room. Your backs are against the wall and you just have to cop it sweet,which is what we’ve done. It really blocks us into a corner.”

De Belin,who unsuccessfully challenged the legality of the no-fault stand-down policy in court,hasn’t played for two-and-a-half years. The Dragons re-signed de Belin from this season on a deal that cost them only a small amount until he is again available for selection. Gordon said the situation highlighted the need for an urgent review of the policy.

“It needs to be looked at and evaluated more closely,” he said. “There needs to be some sort of adjustments made. I’m no expert on the law or policy,but it feels to me it has to be reviewed.

“When you’ve got a player you have to look after the welfare of and are obligated to the contract,it’s a very hard[situation].

“There will need to be action between the clubs and the NRL. For the clubs,it’s about how they contract players so it doesn’t end up coming back at the club.

“The NRL will have to look at it from their point of view to reevaluate where they stand on it.”