Parramatta player Corey Norman has been charged with possessing prohibited drugs.

The 25-year-old NRL player was allegedly caught carrying a container of capsules at Star Casino in Sydney on Friday night.

Police tested the substances and allege they were MDMA and a prescribed restricted substance.

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Norman is due to appear in court in July.

“Clearly this is a serious development that will now be factored into the club’s ongoing investigation,” Parramatta Eels director Geoff Gerard said in a club statement.

“The club will continue to work closely with the NRL and relevant authorities throughout this process.

“In accordance to the values of this football club, we will offer Corey the presumption of innocence and the opportunity to respond to the charges contained in today’s notice.

“Importantly, we will continue to offer Corey all of the support and welfare resources available to everyone in the Eels family.”

The charges follow the police issuing an official warning to Norman, team-mate Junior Paulo and Penrith’s James Segeyaro for allegedly consorting with convicted criminals.

A photo posted by Paulo on his Instagram account allegedly showed the three players dining with former senior Nomad boss Paulie Younan and accused fraudster Rafat Alameddine last Friday night.

The photo that was uploaded to Junior Paulo’s Instagram account. Photo: Supplied

Under the terms of the Crimes Act, a person can be charged with consorting if they habitually consort with convicted offenders – classified as consorting with two convicted criminals on at least two occasions.

NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg said all NRL players and officials must choose their friends and associates wisely and take the police warnings seriously.

“This reflects poorly on the players involved and is a bad look for the game,” Greenberg said in a statement.

“I would expect those who have received warnings to take them very seriously.

“The penalties for ignoring a warning are severe and we fully support the police in the action they have taken.”