Mitchell Pearce handed eight-match NRL ban

Sydney Roosters half-back Mitchell Pearce has been handed an eight-match ban and fined by the NRL club.

Pearce's sanction was announced on Thursday, a day after the NRL and Roosters met to discuss the 26-year-old.

Along with being banned until the home game against Newcastle Knights in round nine, Pearce was fined 125,000 Australian dollars – 50,000 of which was suspended.

He had already been stripped of the Roosters' co-captaincy and suspended from the leadership group for simulating a sex act with a dog while under the influence of alcohol on January 26.

"Firstly, for any hurt or damage I've caused anyone, especially my family, the club and the NRL, I again apologise," Pearce said in a statement.

"Now that this has been decided, I can get on with my rehab, bunker down with training and work each day on making the right choices in what I do."

Pearce, who will be short of matches but available for New South Wales selection ahead of the 2016 State of Origin opener on June 1, will resume training with the club on Monday, a day after the Roosters face the South Sydney Rabbitohs in their season opener.