May hit with show-cause notice as Panthers look to tear up contract

Penrith coach Ivan Cleary fronted the club’s board to defend Tyrone May on Wednesday, but the controversial Panthers player still faces the prospect of being shown the door.

May has seven days to save his NRL career with Penrith deciding to issue him a show-cause notice after his controversial social media post following this year’s grand final victory over South Sydney.

Tyrone May and the Instagram post that has again landed him in hot water.Credit: NRL Photos, Instagram

The one-year extension he signed with the Panthers for the 2022 season, which was recently registered by the NRL, is now in serious danger of being torn up.

During Penrith’s grand final celebrations earlier this month, May posted lyrics from Canadian rapper Drake’s Fair Trade song. “And the dirt that they threw on my name turned to soil and I grew up out it. Time for y’all to figure out what y’all gon’ do about it. Love my brothers”.

The lyrics appeared alongside a picture of May and Panthers coach Cleary leaving Parramatta Local Court after May had been found guilty of four counts of intentionally recording an intimate image without consent. The post drew criticism because it appeared May was playing the victim.

The Panthers board gathered on Wednesday morning to discuss May’s future, deciding to give the 25-year-old an opportunity to front the club’s directors next week and convince them why his contract should not be terminated.

Cleary, who is still on holidays, joined the meeting via Zoom to discuss all rugby league matters after the club’s drought-breaking premiership triumph at the beginning of the month. While there was plenty to celebrate, the elephant in the room remained May’s future. Cleary is said to have defended his player’s character as it became obvious the patience of the club’s directors was wearing thin.

Privately, May has told those close to him that his post was in reference to those who doubted him as a kid and said he wouldn’t amount to anything, having some from the western Sydney suburb of Tregear.

However, given the main picture of the post was of him leaving court, some at the Panthers are sceptical about his explanation.

“At today’s meeting of the Panthers board of directors it was determined May’s conduct constituted a serious breach of his NRL playing contract,” the club said in a statement on Wednesday.

“In accordance with disciplinary protocol, May will have the opportunity to appear before the board next Wednesday before a sanction is imposed.”

The Herald understands May’s off-field indiscretions during his time at the Panthers, which were brought back into the spotlight following his social media post, have taken their toll on decision-makers at the club.

While he still retains the support of coach Cleary and superstar halfback Nathan Cleary, who is May’s best friend, the club has been inundated with criticism from sponsors and members. There is a push from the club’s stakeholders to part ways with May.

After a few days, and at the direction of the club, May removed the social media post but was fined by the NRL and will be required to undergo education before he is allowed to play for Penrith or another NRL team.

Under the NRL’s no-fault stand-down policy, May missed the entire 2019 NRL season while the sex tapes matter was before the courts.

May was sentenced to 300 hours community service and placed on a three-year good behaviour bond for his role in the scandal that rocked the club. He subsequently returned to the NRL midway through last year, playing in the past two grand finals for Penrith.

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