Federal Court delivers verdict in Jack de Belin challenge

St George Illawarra star Jack de Belin has lost his bid to be reinstated by the NRL in the Federal Court on Friday.

Justice Melissa Perry ruled against the incumbent NSW lock in his case against the ARL Commission and NRL.

It means de Belin, 28, remains ruled out indefinitely while he answers an aggravated sexual assault charge in Wollongong Local Court.

Justice Perry ruled that de Belin pay the NRL's legal costs.

"The court found the respondents had established a clear and present danger to their legitimate interests given among other things," Justice Perry said.

"The seriousness of the charge against Mr de Belin and the unprecedented extent of negative headlines which it attracted.

"The fact that the reputation of the NRL competition was tarnished by the allegations and tarnished against Mr de Belin and other players during the off-season described in media reports as the summer from hell."

ARL Commission chairman Peter Beattie and NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg are expected to hold a press conference on Friday afternoon.

De Belin became the first player sidelined as a result of the controversial rules when they were rubber-stamped in March.

Under the rules, the game can stand down any player charged with a serious crime which carries a jail term of 11 years or more.

De Belin, the incumbent NSW Origin lock, was stood down after he was charged with the aggravated sexual assault of a 19-year-old woman in a Wollongong unit.

He has pleaded not guilty.

Justice Perry's decision could have dire consequences for de Belin.

He is off contract at the end of next year, and his next deal could be the most important of his career.

His criminal charges could take 18 months to be decide, meaning he may not be able to take the field before 2021.

with AAP