Sydney Roosters star Mitchell Pearce has held a brief press conference to acknowledge he has a “problem with alcohol”, following his conduct in a video that emerged the day after a wild Australia Day party.

In the video, Pearce was filmed forcing himself upon a woman and simulating a sex act with a dog.

“I acknowledge I have a problem with alcohol and it is something I need to address,” Pearce said.

“It is not an excuse but it is a realisation that I need help.

“I’d like to apologise to everyone for my actions over the last couple of days. My behaviour was unacceptable.

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“Together with the club I’m working on a solution for me to address these issues that will come out in the next couple of days.

“I just want to thank everyone for turning up and I apologise again.”

The Roosters stood the captain and 200-game veteran down before launching an investigation into the matter.

A decision on his immediate playing future or any sanctions from the NRL or his club is still to come.

This was not the first time Pearce has found himself in trouble because of issues with alcohol.

In 2014, he was dropped from the NSW State of Origin squad and fined $20,000 by the Roosters after a nightclub incident in Kings Cross where a female patron complained about his advances and he was asked to leave the venue.

After that incident, he went on a self-imposed alcohol ban and was named the Roosters co-captain the next year – as well as earning back his NSW Blues jersey.

Watch the full press conference below:

“I have a problem with alcohol” Sydney Roosters star #MitchellPearce apologises for Australia Day incident https://t.co/iqQq9V7rXK #NRL

— ABC News 24 (@ABCNews24) January 29, 2016

– with AAP