NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro has joined the scathing attacks on Nathan Cleary, urging the NRL to suspend the Penrith star for the season.
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On Wednesday Cleary was cleared by NSW police of breaking social distancing laws despite admitting to having friends at his house on Anzac Day.
But videos have since emerged on social media of the NSW State of Origin star dancing with female friends, who ranged in age from late teens to early 20s.
On Thursday, NSW Police confirmed they had issued all five women with infringement notices, while Cleary was spoken to by police and given a warning.
Cleary initially claimed his friends came over unplanned, but has since admitted he failed to inform the integrity unit about the videos because he wasn't asked.
The NRL is again investigating the entire incident, which initially resulted in a $10,000 fine (60 per cent suspended) and a one-game ban (also suspended).
Cleary spoke to the NRL's Integrity Unit again on Thursday, with any further penalty is likely to be announced on Friday.
"I regret doing the video," Cleary told News Corp.
"If they fine me more I'll deal with that at the time. I'm just going to wait and see what happens when I speak to the integrity unit."
Barilaro, who has been a major supporter of the league's ambitious plans to resume its competition in late May, believes the consequences should be heavier.
"There's been a lot of people that don't believe the NRL should return. And I've been a big advocate for its return," Barilaro said on Sky News.
"I've been working with the NRL and I've put my own name against it. We've put in place the protocols and measures that deliver the NRL a start again in May.
"The issue with Cleary is that he has lied and said it was only a small interaction. But in the end, the TikTok social media platform shows it was more to that.
"In my mind, when you get caught out and apologise, you deserve a break. But not when you mislead the public and the NRL.
"I think now, Cleary, should be the end of his season."
Cleary is one of four NRL players to have been lashed by the league for bringing the game into disrepute, including stars Josh Addo-Carr and Latrell Mitchell.
The duo, along with Newcastle player Tyronne Roberts-Davis, were punished for a weekend getaway on the NSW mid-north coast.
But despite those indiscretions, Barilaro still backed the league to return.
"I give credit to (ARLC chairman) Peter V'landys and the NRL for what they've put in place, to Wayne Pearce and his team to get the game going," Barilaro said.
"We don't want to let one individual wreck it for everybody."
Australian Associated Press
