Catalan Dragons have released long-serving prop Jamal Fakir after he refused to play with reserve club Saint Esteve XIII for the remainder of the French season.
The Dragons released a statement earlier in the week stating the 31-year-old France international had been dropped after being below-par in the 2014 Super League season.
Fakir, played in the club's first-ever Super League clash against Wigan and was entering his ninth season of top-flight rugby league, has turned down the opportunity to play elsewhere and has put his career on hold by stopping playing.
"Jamal has been a key player in the team since the beginning. He became one of the most feared prop in the competition," Dragons CEO Christophe Jouffret told the club's official website.
"He is an honest and responsible man and had the courage to admit that he was not 100 per cent. He prefers to stop playing for the moment rather than cheating. The whole club wishes him all the best and will support him for its future choices."
The Dragons tackle high-flying St Helens at Langtree Park on Friday night having lost all four of their Super League matches this season. Saints command a perfect record to date.
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