Parramatta Eels wanted Corey Norman to play on

PARRAMATTA continue to thumb their noses at the NRL with the governing body stepping in to ensure Corey Norman was stood down after the Eels wanted their star five-eighth to play on.

Corey Norman has been stood down by the Eels.

PARRAMATTA continue to thumb their noses at the NRL with the governing body stepping in to ensure Corey Norman was stood down after the Eels wanted their star five-eighth to play on.

Norman would have taken his place in Parramatta’s line-up to play Penrith had it been left to the Eels to decide despite the 25-year-old pleading guilty to drug possession on Wednesday.

It was not until a heated conversation with the NRL’s integrity unit which prompted the Eels to have a change of heart and stand-down Norman for at least one game.

The Eels wanted Norman to play in their do or die game against Penrith as he had yet been afforded an opportunity to front Parramatta’s disciplinary committee and explain his recent actions.

It is understood the NRL integrity unit wanted to interview Norman this week after his drugs conviction, however, they were met with constant resistance from Parramatta.

The NRL refused to comment on Friday.

Norman is expected to meet the Eels committee early next week to learn if the club will ban him for any more games.

It continues the Eels’ testy relationship with the game’s headquarters in recent weeks. The NRL’s integrity unit will watch on closely, and have the power to come in over the top of the Eels should they deem the punishment insufficient.

The match at Pepper Stadium will be Parramatta’s first since officially being docked 12 competition points by the NRL last Saturday.

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The Eels — who now sit on 12 competition points and are third to last on the ladder — need to win their remaining eight games to be any chance of pushing for a finals spot. Penrith sit six points clear of their neighbours.

Norman pleaded guilty and was convicted of possessing a prohibited drug and possessing a prescribed restricted substance.

He received an $800 fine after being found in possession of MDMA capsules and muscle relaxants at the Star casino on May 20. Norman was also issued with a consorting warning alongside ex-Penrith player James Segeyaro and former teammate Junior Paulo.

Despite pleas from his barrister, Norman had a conviction recorded. Norman was embroiled in a fresh controversy when it emerged a sex tape of himself existed earlier this week.

It is understood the video, which was offered for sale to media outlet, showed Norman performing a sex act on a naked woman while pouring beer on her.

It also emerged that Norman had sent a video to other NRL players of an elderly man allegedly snorting cocaine. It is understood the video was sent via the SnapChat smartphone app.

Norman’s former roommate Segeyaro is understood to be in the background of the video which features the sex act. There is no suggestion the pair have done anything wrong.

Meanwhile, despite the uncertainty surrounding his immediate playing future, Norman is being hotly pursued by St George Illawarra. The Dragons have identified Norman, who is off-contract as season’s end, as the player to replace Benji Marshall next year.

Norman has a contract extension on the table from the Eels.