Parramatta Eels player Dylan Brown has pleaded guilty to two charges of sexual touching.
The 23-year-old faced Sydney’s Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday where he was sentenced to a community corrections order for a period of 18 months.
The NRL's integrity unit will now conduct an immediate review of the matter before determining whether further suspension or punishment is required.
Dylan Brown court case: NRL star pleads guilty to two counts of sexual touching
Brown was charged in early June with five counts of sexually touching without consent.
The five-eighth was arrested and stood down from the NRL following an incident at the Golden Sheaf Hotel, with court documents alleging he touched a woman five times on the breasts without consent.
His defence solicitor David Newham told the court on Wednesday that his client would plead guilty to two of the counts, with the three other charges withdrawn by police.
Brown has also been served an apprehended personal violence order, which involves conditions including not harassing, threatening or stalking the victim.
Dylan Brown, Parramatta Eels comment on court ruling
The Eels released a statement on Wednesday afternoon following the court's ruling.
"Our club has a strong commitment to respectful behaviour towards women, and the behaviour that was outlined in court today is unacceptable and against the expectations we have at our club," Eels CEO Jim Sarantinos said.
"Dylan has taken full responsibility for his actions and has acknowledged the impact this has had on the person involved, for which he is genuinely remorseful.
"The club will continue to support Dylan and work with him as he learns from this experience.
"We will now work with the NRL Integrity Unit on the next steps in finalising the matter."
Brown also issued a comment via the club's statement.
"Firstly, I want to unreservedly apologise to the person involved and the impact it has had on them," Brown said.
"I am not proud of the behaviour I displayed, and I take full responsibility for my actions.
"Additionally, I want to apologise to everyone connected to the club for the negative impact that this incident has caused, and I am committed to learning from this experience."
When will Dylan Brown return to NRL for Parramatta Eels?
The ball is now in the NRL's court when it comes to a return date for Brown.
In a statement on Wednesday afternoon, the league announced that the no-fault stand down policy will no longer apply to the Eels playmaker.
The NRL's integrity unit will conduct an immediate review of the matter and determine whether further suspension or punishment is required.
The Eels are on a bye for the upcoming Round 18, so Brown could return to the field as soon as July 8 against the Warriors if he is not banned.
Brown has missed three NRL games since being stood down.
