UPDATED: The NRL has declared St George Illawarra Dragons player Jack de Belin will be eligible to play for the remainder of the 2021 season when charges against him are formally withdrawn.
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In a media statement released this afternoon the NRL said once charges are formally withdrawn it will register a new contract between de Belin and the St George Illawarra Dragons which was agreed by the Club during the 2020 season.
NRL CEO Andrew Abdo said the game's "No-Fault Stand Down" rule had protected its stakeholders and ensured de Belin continued to receive support from his Club and earn an income from the game.
"We make no apology for taking the hardest stance in Australian sport where our players are charged with serious criminal offences. We cannot remain indifferent to such charges, particularly those against women,'' he said.
"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.
In a statement released following the NRL declaration, the Dragons confirmed that de Belin would remain at the club until at least the end of the 2023 season following the DDP's decision.
"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."
"Today's outcome concludes a tumultuous period for all involved in the Jack de Belin matter," Dragons CEO Ryan Webb said.
"I wish to thank the support received by our partners, members and fans throughout this entire process."
Earlier: NRL star Jack de Belin will not be tried on rape charges for a third time, with prosecutors set to withdraw the case on Friday.
The St George Illawarra forward, 30, and co-accused Callan Sinclair, 24, were facing the prospect of another trial later this year after trials in Sydney and Wollongong resulted in hung juries.
Ahead of a case mention on Friday, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions advised lawyers for the accused men that the charges will be withdrawn.
De Belin and Sinclair had pleaded not guilty to sexually assaulting a then-19-year-old woman in a North Wollongong unit in December 2018, saying they had a consensual threesome.
The woman alleged she was attacked by de Belin and then cried as the men took turns assaulting her.
The Wollongong jury was discharged less than two days into its deliberations, having told the court it could "absolutely not" reach a verdict.
A Sydney jury, hearing the case in April and May, spent more than a week before it too became stuck on nearly all charges.
It acquitted de Belin and Sinclair of one charge each, relating to an incident de Belin had testified was accidental.
But no verdict was returned for the four other charges against each man, leading to the prospect of a third trial.
The footballer has not played since charges were laid in December 2018 under the NRL's controversial no-fault stand-down policy.
He's expected to be eligible to return for the Dragons from next week, pending approval from the NRL.
When charged, de Belin was on a contract worth almost $600,000 a year and expiring in 2020.
The 30-year-old signed a new four-year deal with Dragons at the end of 2020 when his previous contract expired, after also fielding interest from the Warriors.
Part of the terms of the upgraded contact mean while de Belin is unavailable to play the big-money component is not activated, and he is instead being paid about $1000 per week.
The Dragons would not comment on the matter on Thursday but are expected to release a statement on Friday once the charges are formally dropped.
AAP