NRL star Corey Norman faces Sydney court over drug possession charges

THE Parramatta Eels have stood down Corey Norman from the club’s Round 19 game against Penrith after his conviction for drugs possession.

Corey Norman arrives at the Downing Centre to face court this morning. Picture: John Grainger

THE Parramatta Eels have stood down Corey Norman from the club’s Round 19 game against the Penrith Panthers on Sunday.

The troubled five-eighth was convicted of drug possession and handed a $800 fine after pleading guilty to two charges in Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday morning.

A statement released by the Eels said the club would meet with the NRL this week to review the matter, before Norman fronted the Eels’ disciplinary committee next week.

Norman, who hit the headlines again this week after a raunchy sex tape and another video featuring Norman filing a man snorting a white substance were offered to media outlets for sale, was found guilty of possession of a prohibited drug and possession of a prescribed restricted substance after being found with MDMA and prescription muscle relaxants at Star Casino in May.

He was previously given a warning for consorting with criminals by NSW Police Organised Crime Squad, after it emerged he had dined with a number of well-known Sydney crime identities before he was found in possession of the drugs.

Corey Norman during Parramatta Eels training yesterday. Picture: Phil Hillyard

Norman’s former housemate and ex-Penrith ­Panthers ­hooker James Segeyaro and fellow Eel Junior Paulo were also ­issued with consorting warnings after the three were photographed dining at The Century ­Chinese ­restaurant at The Star with former senior ­Nomads bikie Paul Younan and fraud ­accused Rafat ­Alameddine.

Rafat Alameddine is the brother of Talal Alameddine, who is ­accused of supplying the gun used by teen terrorist Farhad Jabar to kill NSW Police worker Curtis Cheng.

The dinner took place ­before Norman was allegedly caught with the pills. It is understood a friend of ­Norman, who is who was also at the dinner, told security the pills belonged to him.

The Telegraph understands Paulo and Segeyaro were also at the casino with Norman after the dinner.