Panthers in Crucial Talks Amid Career Uncertainty Post Suspension Over Alleged Domestic Violence
Taylan May faced Penrith’s board on Tuesday, with the club now deliberating his future with the assistance of legal counsel. The 22-year-old was summoned to present his case to the board regarding reasons why he should not be terminated, following a show-cause notice for multiple breaches spanning several years.
According to Fairfax, the board is expected to take two to three weeks to make a decision after reviewing May’s submission.
May is currently suspended for the remainder of the season under the NRL’s no-fault stand-down policy due to domestic violence charges against his wife, to which he has pleaded not guilty. However, the show-cause notice issued by the club is unrelated to these charges.
The breaches include instances of using foul language on social media and a recent video showing May as a passenger in a car allegedly speeding at 96km/h in a school zone.
“It was a lengthy meeting. There were numerous issues to discuss related to the show-cause notice,” said Panthers Group CEO Brian Fletcher to the Herald.
“We have to ensure we follow all legal requirements in these matters. They’re complex and not straightforward. The board is being cautious to ensure all boxes are ticked before making a decision. We expect to reach a conclusion in the next two to three weeks.”
When asked if May had played his final game for the Panthers, Fletcher replied, “I can’t say definitively because the process is only halfway through at this point.”
In April, May allegedly assaulted his wife by punching her in the face, leading to his arrest just before Penrith’s Magic Round game against the Warriors in Brisbane.
In August 2022, May was found guilty of assaulting a teenage fan at a Queensland tavern following Penrith’s 2021 Grand Final win.
May, who made his NRL debut in 2021, missed the 2022 Grand Final victory over the Eels and the entire 2023 season due to injury. In March, he signed a contract extension worth nearly $1.2 million to stay at Penrith until the end of 2026.
May is scheduled to appear in court on March 10 next year to face charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and two counts of stalking or intimidation.
His older brother Tyrone was dismissed by the Panthers in November 2021 after posting a provocative image on Instagram following the club’s grand final win over South Sydney.
