Panthers star Taylan May charged with DV offences, stood down from Warriors match

Penrith Panthers star Taylan May has been charged with assaulting his wife and has been stood down from playing this weekend.

Taylan May has been stood down on domestic violence charges. Picture: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

Penrith Panthers centre Taylan May will learn his immediate playing fate in the coming days after the NRL star was charged with assaulting his wife.

The Panthers stood down May from playing in this weekend’s NRL’s Magic Round event after he was arrested in the early hours of Saturday morning.

Police allege May punched his wife, Jessika May, in the face and leg during an argument at a home in Werrington in Sydney’s west on April 8.

The 22-year-old was arrested at 5am on Saturday at a Penrith address and charged with domestic violence-related assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and two counts of stalking or intimidating with intent to cause fear or physical harm.

Police have also taken out an interim Apprehended Violence Order application to protect Jessika.

May has been charged with punching his partner Jessika May. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

“Police were told about 9pm on Monday 8 April 2024, the man allegedly assaulted a woman known to him during an argument at a home in Werrington,” a Police statement read.

“It is alleged he punched her in the face and leg.

“The man was taken to Penrith Police Station where he was charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm (DV), and two counts of stalk/intimidate intend fear physical etc harm (DV).”

May was granted conditional bail by police to appear before Penrith Local Court on May 28.

Although the charges do not meet the threshold to automatically trigger the code’s no-fault stand-down policy, which suspends players from playing until criminal matters are resolved, the Panthers took the decision to withdraw May from Sunday’s clash with the New Zealand Warriors.

However, May could still be subject to the stand-down poicy under NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo’s discretionary powers, something he alluded to on Saturday.

“It’s really unfortunate obviously that we’re having this conversation,” Abdo said of May’s charges on Triple M.

“We are aware of it. We’re now reviewing the information, we’re reviewing the charges and then we’ll make a determination in the next few days.

“We have clear policies for this.”

That policy is that players who are charged with a crime that carries a maximum sentence of 11 years or more cannot play until the criminal process runs its course.

‘The club has obviously decided to use their discretion on the issue, given the circumstances, and stand him down anyway,” criminal lawyer Paul McGirr said.

Taylan May will appear before Penrith Local Court on May 28. Picture Lachie Millard

An NRL spokesman added: “The NRL integrity unit is aware of the matter and is liasing with the Panthers and NSW Police.”

Hours after May’s arrest, the Panthers completed their final training run in Penrith on Saturday morning before flying to Brisbane in the afternoon.

Paul Alamoti will replace May in the centres for the game against the Warriors.

The alleged incident occured on April 8, two days after Penrith’s 32-18 Round 5 loss to Manly. They had the bye the following week.

However, a day before Penrith’s 22-6 win over the Wests Tigers in Round 7, May was withdrawn from the match for “personal reasons” that were not disclosed.

Taylan and Jessika May were married last year in a glitzy ceremony, which the club posted about on its official Instagram account.

May only re-signed with the Panthers in March, until the end of 2026.

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Originally published as Panthers star Taylan May charged with DV offences, stood down from Warriors match