Nathan Cleary, Tyrone May’s brother post controversial tributes after Penrith star sacked

Panthers halfback Nathan Cleary wasn’t the only one to cause a stir with his social media post after Panthers star Tyrone May was sacked.

Nathan Cleary's Instagram post on Wednesday.

Penrith Panthers halfback Nathan Cleary has shared a tribute to sacked teammate Tyrone May on Instagram, calling the 25-year-old his “brother” — while May’s actual sibling also hit out after the premiership winner’s axing.

On Wednesday afternoon, Penrith released a statement announcing May’s contract had been torn up after a series of scandals that followed the club’s grand final triumph over the South Sydney Rabbitohs.

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Last month, May was stood down by the Panthers and was issued a breach of contract notice following an NRL Integrity Unit investigation that resulted in him being fined $7500 over a social media post that was interpreted to be a reference to his sex tape scandal.

After the investigation, May was forced to front the board of directors to explain why his contract should not be torn up.

The board has now announced May has been let go.

Less than two hours after the announcement, Cleary uploaded to his Instagram Story a picture of himself alongside May.

He captioned the post: “My brother no matter what. Got you always.”

Meanwhile, May’s brother Taylan also uploaded an Instagram post that hit out at critics of the sacked player. Taylan is contracted to the Panthers and made his NRL debut this year.

“Realist one always stayed loyal to bad loyalty gets you no where,” Taylan captioned a photo of him and Tyrone posing with the premiership trophy.

“It’s always just business.”

Taylan added the hashtag “#keephating”.

Nathan Cleary's Instagram post on Wednesday.

Tyrone May's brother hit out on social media. Photo: Instagram.

NRL commentator Andrew Voss addressed Cleary and Taylan’s social media activity amid May’s sacking.

“Now the follow up, the Nathan Cleary Instagram post yesterday sticking up for his mate. I must be getting old, why not just speak to the bloke and let him know? Why the social media post?” Voss wrote for SEN.

“If Nathan doesn’t get that it is social media that has caused this problem to be exacerbated, then Penrith have massive problems.

“Tyrone’s brother Taylan will still be at the club next year I’m told, his post yesterday, he ripped into the club in public on social media. What the hell is going on?”

In November 2019, May pleaded guilty to four counts of intentionally recording an intimate image without consent. In January 2020, the magistrate slammed his “reprehensible” conduct as he was handed a three-year good behaviour bond and ordered to perform 300 hours of community service.

The woman recorded without her consent in the video that spread across the internet spoke publicly for the first time a few weeks ago in which she revealed she suffered a “traumatic response” as a result of the video being shared.

May was also filmed using an offensive slur during teammate Viliame Kikau’s Instagram live Q+A the day following the grand final.

Tyrone May and Nathan Cleary celebrate a try. Photo by Matt Blyth/Getty Images

Panthers chief executive Brian Fletcher said in the statement the club will continue to offer any support May needs.

“As a club we understand our responsibilities to the game, our corporate partners, our members and fans, and the wider Rugby League community,” he said.

“The Board observed due process in this matter and considered all relevant factors before reaching its final decision.

“Panthers will coordinate with the NRL to ensure Tyrone receives access to any support services he needs moving forward.”

Originally published as Nathan Cleary, Tyrone May’s brother post controversial tributes after Penrith star sacked