NRL 2024: Taylan May’s major court victory to prevent Panthers hearing to discuss sacking
Penrith centre Taylan May has scored a victory over the Panthers in the Federal Court after preventing the club holding a second hearing to discuss his future.
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Penrith centre Taylan May has scored a victory over the Panthers in the Federal Court after preventing the club holding a second hearing to discuss his possible sacking.
May, who has been stood down under the game’s no fault stand down policy after being charged with domestic violence related offences, has already been given a show cause notice by the Panthers over prior incidents.
It is understood Penrith powerbrokers wanted to hold a second show cause hearing next week where they were preparing to terminate his deal.
However, it is understood that May has stopped the hearing going ahead after successfully arguing for an injunction in the federal court in Sydney on Friday afternoon for breaching his rights as a professional rugby league player.
He is expected to launch proceedings of his own against the Panthers over their handling of the situation.
The drama threatens to become a nightmare for the Panthers on their quest to win a fourth consecutive premiership.
May has been stood down by the NRL since late-May after being charged by police over an incident involving his partner.
May will fight allegations that he punched his wife, Jessica May, in the face during an altercation on April 8 and later stalked her.
He pleaded not guilty to three domestic violence-related charges when he appeared in court on May 28.
The Panthers were expected to seek salary cap dispensation to sign a player in his place, although it is understood they held off on a formal application while they contemplated terminating his deal.
Those plans are now in disarray after a hearing was held in the federal court late on Friday.
The 22-year-old only signed a two-year extension worth $1.2 million with the Panthers in March - they have continued to pay him - but the club had outlined plans to sack him after his latest indiscretion, forcing him to front the board almost a fortnight ago to explain his actions.
The show cause notice was unrelated to the domestic violence related charges, but rather a list of alleged off field indiscretions during his time at the club.
The Panthers declined to elaborate, although earlier this year he was in the news after he posted a video on his Instagram account of him in the passenger seat of a car driving at 96kph in a residential zone.
May, a Samoan international, is regarded as one of the best young centres in the game but will be sidelined while he waits for his court hearing.
It has been set for March 10 next year.
His brother Terrell plays for the Sydney Roosters.
The Panthers declined to comment any further on today’s court proceeding when contacted on Friday evening but said the club is currently working through this latest development.
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Originally published as NRL 2024: Taylan May’s major court victory to prevent Panthers hearing to discuss sacking
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