The Rugby Football League (RFL) has revealed Ben Barba will not be allowed a return to Super League if he is hit with an NRL ban.

Barba was sacked by North Queensland Cowboys last Friday without playing a game for the NRL club due to a "significant breach" of his contract following an alleged domestic violence incident at a Townsville casino.

NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg warned the playmaker, who has not been charged by police, could face a lifetime ban from the league if he is found to have committed the alleged offence.

Barba was named Man of Steel following an outstanding solitary season with St Helens last year, but the 29-year-old would be prohibited from playing in Super League if he is given an NRL ban.

The RFL stated: "We will always uphold any ban imposed by the NRL (subject to the right of appeal to our own Operational Rules tribunal), under a reciprocal agreement between the RFL and the NRL.

"Independent to that arrangement, the RFL Board has the right to refuse registration to any player – and would also consult with Super League in that process.

"We are bound to follow that process – but if the facts of this case turn out to be as reported, the RFL would condemn them as deplorable."