Update: Penrith Panthers’ Tyrone May stood down over charges

Penrith’s Tyrone May has become the third player to be stood down indefinitely by the NRL after NSW Police charged him over leaked sex tapes in which he allegedly appeared.

Penrith's Tyrone May during Penrith rugby league training at Panthers Rugby League Academy, Penrith. Picture: Brett Costello

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Penrith’s Tyrone May has become the third player to be stood down indefinitely by the NRL after NSW Police charged him over leaked sex tapes in which he allegedly appeared.

NSW Police charged May with two counts of recording intimate image without consent, and two counts of disseminate image without consent.

The Panthers said May would “vigorously deny the charges”.

But the NRL will still sideline May, 22, until after the court case is completed, under rugby league’s new no-fault stand down policy, which was introduced just last week.

The Panthers five-eighth will front Penrith Local Court on May 1.

Penrith's Tyrone May during a Panthers training session. Picture: Brett Costello

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The NRL integrity unit will implement an additional suspension if May is found guilty, while a not-guilty verdict would allow him to return to playing.

Armed with his new discretionary powers, NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg quickly stood down May, who will join Jack de Belin and Dylan Walker on the sidelines for off-field matters.

Police will allege that May, who declined an interview with police on Tuesday, filmed sexual encounters with two women in February and May last year, without their knowledge and distributed them without their consent.

While the sexual acts were consensual, police said that the women only became aware of the existence of videos in recent days when told by family and friends, at which point they contacted police.

“As you would appreciate, this is a serious breach of the privacy of our (alleged) victims,” Detective Superintendent Brett McFadden said on Monday.

NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg. Picture: AAP

“The investigation is ongoing. There are still people that we do need to speak with. We have had two (alleged) victims come forward to police and we are investigating their allegations and the investigation into anything further is part of the scope at what we are looking at.

“We are dealing with the information we have at the moment and we are supporting the (alleged) victims through a very difficult period of time.”

One video was allegedly filmed in February 2018 in Coffs Harbour, while the other was allegedly filmed in Kingswood last May.

Each offence carries a maximum three-year jail sentence if proven.

May and Penrith lower grader Liam Coleman handed themselves in at Penrith police station on Tuesday and May returned to Panthers training after he was granted bail. Coleman was released without charge.

Tyrone May was charged this morning. Picture: Instagram

While May faces two charges, Supt McFadden said the alleged victims were “unrelated”.

Greenberg stressed the decision to suspend May was not prejudging his guilt or innocence.

“That is a matter for the courts,” Greenberg said. “Our new policy provides for the automatic stand down of players on a no-fault basis where they are charged with serious criminal matters.

“In the circumstances of the current charges I have determined to place Tyrone May on a no-fault stand down. The no-fault stand down will remain in force until the court proceedings are concluded.”

Greenberg described the content of some of the video footage as “vulgar”.

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“Some of these things are juvenile and immature. Some are just quite vulgar. What I have seen is a lot of stupidity, today tells me it has gone from stupidity to being illegal,” Greenberg said.

“It is another firm reminder to players that there is a very fine line here that if they get into the illegal category, they put their whole career and livelihood at risk.

“Today’s action on one of our players should send a very firm warning to all of our players. I’ve got to be careful we don’t become the voice of morality but, in saying that, some of the things I have seen are in very, very poor taste.”

The NRL will remain vigilant with speculation more videos could be circulated.

“We are as interested in the content as we are about who is distributing it,” Greenberg said.

The Panthers on Tuesday said they supported the NRL decision to stand down May.

“The decision to stand down Tyrone May is not about passing judgement on guilt or innocence,” Panthers chairman David O’Neill said.

“Panthers acknowledges the seriousness of the charges and agrees the decision is in the best interests of the game.

“May will continue to train with the club and we will work closely with the NRL and the RLPA to ensure his wellbeing.”

Originally published as Update: Penrith Panthers’ Tyrone May stood down over charges