Tyrone Phillips walks away from NRL after weekend arrest

Tyrone Phillips has walked away from his NRL contract with the Penrith Panthers, one day after he was arrested and charged by police in the early hours of Sunday.

Phillips, 25, is currently being investigated by the NRL integrity unit after allegedly being caught driving two times over the alcohol limit.

On Monday he fronted up at Penrith to bring an end to his time with the club, with Panthers football boss Phil Gould saying “there was a settlement made”.

“Tyrone’s made the decision to resign from the Panthers effectively immediately,” Gould said on Channel Nine.

“He’s had a difficult time of late and the (alleged incident) on the weekend wasn’t good enough. (We) parted ways.”

Penrith confirmed the news in a short statement later on Monday night.

The Panthers’ reserve-grade outside back will appear in Penrith Local Court on April 16.

Police will allege Phillips returned a breath alcohol content reading of .103 after being stopped by police in Cranebrook in Sydney’s west at 3.15am.

He has been charged with mid-range drink driving and had his licence suspended.

Phillips had earlier turned out for Penrith’s reserve-grade side in their NSW Cup win over St George Illawarra at Panthers Stadium.

Phillips was embroiled in a sex-tape scandal during the off-season when a lewd video of him and fellow Panthers reserve grade player Liam Coleman was released online.

Gould said he does not know if Phillips plans to pursue another opportunity in the NRL at a later date.

with AAP