NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg has declared the code's off-season a "train wreck", saying former Dally M winner Ben Barba won't have a way back into the sport if he is found to have assaulted his partner.
The North Queensland Cowboys terminated Barba's contract on Friday, before he had even played a game for the club, amid reports he was caught on CCTV assaulting his partner in an incident at the Townsville casino.
Mr Greenberg said he had not seen the footage of the alleged incident, which is currently being investigated by the NRL integrity commission.
But he praised the Cowboys for taking leadership in sacking the 2012 Dally M Medal winner, who was planning to return to the NRL after a two-year hiatus due to a drug scandal.
"The Cowboys have seen the vision and have made their decision. We will see the vision," he said.
"I have spoken to the Cowboys. I understand it's now under police investigation. So I'm a little limited to what I can describe to you."
Mr Greenberg said Barba would never return to the sport if there was evidence of him assaulting his partner.
"If it shows violence towards a woman, then really there's no debate. Ben Barba will be out of the NRL immediately," he said.
"I can't see him ever returning. Certainly, again, if the evidence is there, he simply won't return under my watch.
"I issue this warning to players again: The game has changed. Community expectations are clear. We won't tolerate misbehaviour and the sanctions will be extremely strong. Especially for violence against women."
The assault allegation against Barba is the latest in a string of off-field indiscretions by NRL players since October, with Jarryd Hayne, Jack de Belin, Zane Musgrove, Liam Coleman and Dylan Walker also facing assault charges.
Mr Greenberg said he would not waiver in banning players in order to protect the game.
"We had a brilliant 2018 on the field. But quite frankly the off-season has been a complete train wreck," he said.
"The game is loved and adored by millions and millions of fans. And we must protect the game."
Barba is yet to comment.
