Mark Coyne stood down from ARLC

Former St George Illawarra and Queensland Origin star Mark Coyne has stood down as an ARLC commissioner following an incident in Singapore seven weeks ago.

ARLC Chaiman Peter Beattie announced the news on Wednesday afternoon.

"I have had discussions today with Commissioner Mark Coyne in relation to an incident in Singapore," Beattie said in a statement.

"I am currently in Broome and Mark is in Singapore.

"Mark has agreed to stand down from the ARLC until he and I can have a longer conversation about the facts."

Coyne has now returned to Australia after he pleaded guilty to the charge of abusing a police officer and was fined $4100. 

He told reporters at Sydney airport on Thursday that he would resign if Beattie and his fellow commissioners believed that was in the best interests of the game.

"I only was actually charged on Tuesday and immediately after I was charged I let Peter Beattie know, and obviously the next day I went to court and pleaded guilty," Coyne said.

"At that time I told Peter I thought it was best I step down from the Commission; Peter accepted and when he gets back from his leave I’ll get together with the Commission and if they believe I should resign then I’ll be happy to hand my resignation in.

"For me, the role on the commission has always been about what’s best for the game.

"If my staying on in the role for the commission is not going to be the best thing for the game then I’ll happily step down."

Coyne joined the ARL Commission in February and has been touted as a candidate to eventually take over from Beattie as chairman.

The 51-year-old, who played 222 first-grade games for St George and St George Illawarra from 1989-99 as well as six Tests and 19 State of Origin matches for Queensland, has a lengthy background in business.

A former Dragons captain, he is currently Chief Executive of EML, a personal injury claims management firm, and has more than 30 years of experience in the financial services sector in strategic and operational roles.

Beattie said after Coyne's appointment last November that his experience as a player and business leader would be invaluable to the ARLC.

St George Illawarra coach Paul McGregor, who was co-captain of the inaugural joint venture team with Coyne in 1999, offered support for his former centre partner.  

"I only know what I've read and it's just out of character," McGregor said.

"He's obviously apologetic, he's a very good man and it's just not in his DNA. I feel for Mark because he's obviously made an error in judgement but it's certainly not in Mark's character."

McGregor did not want to publicly discuss Coyne's future with the ARLC.

"It's not a decision I'm going to talk about," McGregor said. "He'll talk to the commission, I read Mr Beattie's said he's going to have a conversation in the near future."