Cronulla has sacked Ben Barba from the final year of his contract after he tested positive to cocaine four days after the Sharks historic final win last month.
The star NRL full-back, who would be off-contract at the end of next seaon, has been released by the Sharks in order to “address some significant personal issues.”
In a written statement, Barba, a father of three daughters (pictured with him above) admitted to off-field issues.
“I know and accept I need to take some time away from the game to deal with some personal issues,” Barba said.
“I am accountable for myself and my actions and if I don’t address them now I will certainly ruin my career and more importantly my life and that of my family.
“As footballers we often find it hard to speak up about having problems, but this decision has lifted so much pressure off myself that I cannot start to explain just how much better I feel by taking this action.
“I hope to return to the game at some stage and am very grateful for the support of the Cronulla Sharks and I hope that one day I can again play beside this terrific bunch of guys.
“I have made some tremendous friendships both within the playing ranks and throughout the coaching and administration teams. This has made it all the more difficult to make this decision but it’s something I just had to do.”
This is the second large-scale fall from grace for the league star – and again it follows an amazing career high. After winning the 2012 Dally M Medal, he was deemed unfit to start the 2013 season due to a combination of alcohol, gambling and personal issues, instead heading to rehab. He was stood down by the Bulldogs in 2013 and eventually left the club following allegations of domestic abuse.
According to the Daily Telegraph, Barba is heading back to rehab in Thailand.
Game watchers are now talking about whether Barba, with 168 games and 99 tries under his belt, will return to the NRL.
