Panther Taylan May set to be stood down indefinitely over domestic violence charge
Taylan May is facing an indefinite suspension from the NRL after he was arrested and charged over a domestic violence allegation.
Taylan May is set to be stood down indefinitely under the NRL’s no-fault stand down policy after the Panthers star was arrested on Saturday over a domestic violence allegation involving his wife.
May is set to face court after being arrested in the early hours of Saturday morning over the allegation, which police say took place last month.
NSW Police confirmed in a statement that at about 5am on Saturday, a 22-year-old man was arrested at an address in Penrith in relation to an alleged domestic violence incident.
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Now The Daily Telegraph is reporting the NRL is expected to stand the premiership winner down indefinitely.
The Panthers chose to stand May down ahead of Sunday’s 22-20 Magic Round defeat to the Warriors, with Penrith coach Ivan Cleary stating the alleged incident hadn’t impacted his side.
“No, I don’t think so,” he said.
“We just got on with life, we are here to play footy and that’s what we did.
“We just didn’t play well enough today.”
May’s playing future is said to be in jeopardy, although he is reportedly yet to be issued with a breach notice by the NRL.
The police statement read: “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.
“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 and will appear before Penrith Local Court on Tuesday 28 May 2024, where his wife Jessica has lodged an Apprehended Violence Order application against him.
The Panthers also issued a statement on Saturday afternoon.
“Penrith Panthers are aware of an alleged incident regarding player Taylan May, which has resulted in police charges,” the statement read.
“Panthers has informed the NRL Integrity Unit and will co-operate throughout the process.
“As this is a legal matter, the club will make no further comment at this stage.”
May signed a contract extension with the Panthers in March earlier this year, committing to the club until at least the end of the 2026 season as Penrith fended off rival interest to convince the centre to remain at the foot of the mountains.
As the charges against May carry a maximum penalty of less than 11 years he does not fall under the NRL’s automatic no-fault stand down policy.
However, the NRL does have discretionary power to stand a player down, as was the case with Parramatta’s Dylan Brown last year.
The latest allegations come after May was found guilty assaulting a young fan while celebrating Penrith’s grand final win in 2021.
The incident took place at the Duporth Tavern in Maroochydore on October 8 with Panthers teammate Nathan Cleary approaching an 18-year-old man who had earlier taken a video of him and wanted it deleted.
CCTV footage presented to the court showed May walk up behind the man while he was talking with Cleary and Tyrone May.
He can then be seen grabbing the man by the collar of his shirt and pulling him to the ground.
The man struck his head on the floor during the altercation and suffered a sprained neck.
Magistrate Matthew McLaughlin labelled May’s actions “reprehensible” and “cowardly”. He ordered him to pay $1000 in compensation to the victim and a $1000 fine. He did not have a conviction recorded against him.
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