Parramatta’s Dylan Brown stood down under NRL’s no-fault policy

The NRL has moved to stand down Parramatta Eels star Dylan Brown after he was charged with sexual touching without consent.

Parramatta Eels five-eighth Dylan Brown has been stood down under the NRL’s no-fault stand down policy.

Brown on Monday appeared in court for the first time after he was accused of touching a woman without her consent at the Golden Sheaf, in Double Bay, about 11.40pm Saturday.

NSW Police said officers arrested the 22-year-old and he was later taken to Waverley Police Station.

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He was then charged with five counts of sexually touching another person without consent.

Brown was granted bail before he appeared at Sydney’s Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday.

He was not required to enter a plea on Wednesday.

Parramatta had named Brown in their team line-up for the club’s Kings Birthday clash against the Canterbury Bulldogs next Monday.

Dylan Brown has been stood down. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

But on Wednesday the NRL said in a statement it has “advised the Parramatta Eels that Dylan Brown is subject to a No-Fault Stand Down Condition under the NRL Rules.

The statement continued: “New South Wales Police charged Dylan Brown with several counts of sexually touch without consent following an incident at Double Bay on Saturday 3 June 2023.

“The NRL decision should in no way be interpreted as a view on the innocence or guilt of the player.”

The Eels said in a statement: “The Parramatta Eels have been informed by the NRL that Dylan Brown has been stood down from team selection as part of the NRL’s no fault stand down policy regarding the incident this past weekend.

“Dylan will not be eligible for selection until he receives clearance from the NRL.

“Out of respect for the legal process now under way, the club will not be making any further comment at this time.”

Brown, who was born in New Zealand, has played 95 games for the Eels since making his debut with the team in 2019 when he was just 18.

Brown was stood down automatically because he has not been charged with an offence that carries a maximum jail term of 11 years or more.

However, NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo used his discretionary power to stand him down.