South Sydney Rabbitohs five-eighth Cody Walker has been suspended for two matches after he was filmed kicking a man in the chest in a street fight in December.
Walker will miss crucial fixtures against the Sydney Roosters next Friday followed by a trip to face the Melbourne Storm a week later, after video of the incident emerged on social media earlier this week.
In addition to the suspension, the 30-year-old has also been given a $15,000 suspended fine, while the Rabbitohs have been fined $20,000 for not informing the NRL Integrity Unit of the incident.
The NRL only became aware of the incident on Sunday after Walker made a report to police over an alleged blackmail attempt for $20,000.
He had told his coach Wayne Bennett, who did not pass on the information.
"All clubs and club officials have a duty to report any incident which may lead to a breach of NRL rules, including suspected breaches, and NRL Clubs are responsible for ensuring compliance," the NRL said in a statement.
The Rabbitohs' response indicated the club will be taking the five-day notice period "to consider its position".
Walker was cleared by police this week over his involvement in a fight in his home town of Casino, in northern New South Wales, late last year.
The short video shows Walker getting in a confrontation with two men, kicking one of them in the chest before others pull him away.
He revealed to Channel Nine on Monday that he had been mourning the loss of a family member and drinking alcohol, before the incident took place.
"I was trying to protect a family member after the loss of one of my first cousins who we lost through suicide," explained Walker.
"She was 24 years of age and we were grieving her. Seeing her brother who is my first cousin, seeing him fight, the first thing that popped into my head was, 'I just need to stop it.'"
