Ben Barba has admitted he may never play rugby league again as the NRL takes a strong stance over the banned star's deal to play rugby union in France.
NRL CEO Todd Greenberg declared on Wednesday that Barba's 12-match ban for a second positive illicit drugs test would not start until he had completed any overseas playing commitments.
That would effectively rule Cronulla's 2016 premiership fullback Barba out for the whole 2017 NRL season if he fulfilled a reported agreement to join big-spending Toulon for the rest of the French Top 14 rugby season, which doesn't finish till mid-year.
Greenberg said the NRL believed a suspended player should serve time out from playing anywhere, not just the NRL.
"Ben does not have a registered contract with the NRL so he is free to make a decision to play in a different code with a new club," Greenberg said.
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"But the NRL will not consider any contract for registration until he has completed his contract with other sports."
Barba earlier said he was not yet certain to join Toulon but voiced frustration at the time the NRL was taking in considering whether to register a contract for him.
"Mate, I've got to look after my kids and my family. They're my first option," Barba told reporters outside his home of the Toulon plan.
"Nothing's been final yet. At the moment, I'm just listening to the people that take care of me and I go from there."
Asked about the possibility the Toulon deal could end hopes of playing NRL in 2017, Barba said: "If it comes to that, I might never play the game again.
"It's taken them three months and nothing's been sorted out (regarding an NRL contract).
"As I said, I'm just going along with the flow and listening to the guys that take care of me."
Greenberg said his primary concern was whether appropriate action was being taken to improve Barba's life off the field.
He warned that Barba could be further jeopardising his chances of gaining a contract if he left the support network provided in order to play overseas.
"We have been working closely with the Sharks on ensuring he has access to appropriate courses and programs as part of his rehabilitation," Greenberg said.
"We have just given him approval to train individually at the club and be part of the Sharks' community programs.
"That agreement meant he also had access to the club's welfare and education support services.
"If that commitment has changed then it will be taken into account when we consider whether his contract should be registered.
"I would hope that everyone involved in this matter is looking at how we look after Ben's welfare first and foremost - and football matters should be secondary."
Sharks coach Shane Flanagan has previously said Barba's best-case scenario was to return to the NRL after their bye in round 14 in June.
Sharks forward Chris Heighington said on Wednesday Barba's code switch to rugby union could be beneficial.
"I reckon it was probably good for him and good for the Sharks to get a bit of game time under his belt," Heighington told Sky Sports Radio.
