Jack de Belin will remain banned from playing in the NRL even as he faces the prospect of a third trial on rape charges, extending his period out of the game potentially through to the end of this season.
A second trial failed to reach a verdict on Monday on five of the six charges the St George-Illawarra player is facing, meaning he now faces the prospect of a third hearing, with a decision to be made by prosecutors on May 28.
He is not allowed to play under the NRL s contentious No-Fault-Stand Down rule which prevents players taking to the field while facing serious criminal charges, even if they plead not guilty.
06:36 EDT, 10 May 2021
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Jack de Belin has been found not guilty of a rape charge but now faces the prospect of a third criminal trial after a jury failed to reach a verdict on five charges. Above, the footballer appears grim as he leaves a Sydney court on Monday
A jury has found footballer Jack de Belin not guilty of a sexual assault charge - but failed to reach a verdict on five further counts.
Judge Nicole Noman discharged the Sydney jury after they failed to break a deadlock on the remaining charges just before 3pm on Monday afternoon.
That means the suspended St George Illawarra forward, 30, and his friend Callan Sinclair, 24, face the prospect of a possible third criminal trial.
19:44 EDT, 10 May 2021
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Jack de Belin signed a fresh contract with St George Illawarra worth about $3million in the middle of his rape trial but the details were kept confidential while he remained in front of the courts.
A jury found the suspended Dragons forward, 30, not guilty of a sexual assault charge - but failed to reach a verdict on five further counts.
Judge Nicole Noman discharged the Sydney jury after they failed to break a deadlock on the remaining charges just before 3pm on Monday afternoon.
That means de Belin and his friend Callan Sinclair, 24, face the prospect of a possible third criminal trial.
Jury finds Jack de Belin not guilty on one sexual assault charge but fails to reach verdict on four charges
The St George Illawarra forward and fellow rugby league player Callan Sinclair pleaded not guilty to five counts alleging they sexually assaulted a woman in a North Wollongong unit
NRL player Jack de Belin at the Downing Centre district court in Sydney on 4 May. The St George Illawarra forward and his friend, Callan Sinclair, had both pleaded not guilty to aggravated sexual assault. Photograph: Mick Tsikas/AAP
NRL player Jack de Belin at the Downing Centre district court in Sydney on 4 May. The St George Illawarra forward and his friend, Callan Sinclair, had both pleaded not guilty to aggravated sexual assault. Photograph: Mick Tsikas/AAP
11:32 EDT, 6 May 2021
A jury considering rape charges against NRL footballer Jack de Belin has indicated its deliberations may continue into next week.
The St George Illawarra forward, 30, and his friend Callan Sinclair, 24, have both pleaded not guilty to multiple counts of aggravated sexual assault.
The Sydney District Court jury on Thursday asked if it was permitted to continue its verdict deliberations into next week, in the event it could not achieve a unanimous decision by Friday afternoon.
Jack de Belin (pictured outside court on Thursday) pleaded not-guilty to aggravated sexual assault
Jurors had previously been asked to ensure they were available until Friday.