'Barba tests positive to cocaine'

Ben Barba has been released from his playing contract by premiers Cronulla and faces a 12-match ban if and when he returns to the NRL in the wake of testing positive to cocaine.

Sharks CEO Lyall Gorman said on Tuesday the club agreed to the fullback's request to be released to address "significant personal issues".

The former Dally M Medal winner flew out of Sydney Monday night left to begin a rehabilitation program overseas and was accompanied by a club welfare officer who will stay with him for a few days as he settles in.

The NRL confirmed the positive test to cocaine, returned days after Cronulla's breakthrough grand final triumph last month, was Barba's second positive sample under the NRL's illicit drug testing program.

The first positive test was recorded in 2015.

"I know and accept I need to take some time away from the game to deal with some personal issues," Barba said in a statement.

"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.

"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."

Given Barba has now been released from his contract with the Sharks, he will serve the mandatory 12-match suspension if he returns to the NRL in the future.

Barba is the third player suspended under the NRL's illicit drug program, following former South Sydney centre Kirisome Auva'a and Cronulla under-20s player Jayden Walker.

Gorman said the immediate focus for the club was helping Barba get his life together off the field, as well as his wife and four children.

"Last Friday, we were approached by the player and his management advising us that Ben wished to be released from his contract to step outside the game to go away and focus on his own matter and his own personal issues," Gorman told reporters on Tuesday.

"A lot of discussion occurred around that and we agreed to release Ben from his contract."

Gorman said he'd been working closely with Barba since his first positive test and admitted he was surprised by the revelation of the second test.

"There's no one more disappointed than me," Gorman said.

"I've spent a lot of time with Benny. I'm very close to him.

"To say that I'm personally distressed about this would be an under-statement.

"He's made a poor choice on a poor day. Whether he's got carried away with the celebration, I don't know the exact circumstances of when this occurred.

"But obviously a poor choice."