A rising NRL star has resigned indefinitely after being accused of allegedly punching a woman in the face and leg during an argument at a western Sydney home and will fight the allegations in court.
Penrith Panthers winger Taylan May, 22, was arrested and charged earlier this month with domestic violence related assault causing bodily harm and two counts of harassment or intimidation.
Police allege he punched a woman he knew in the face and leg during an argument at a home in Werrington, in Sydney’s west, in April, which was later reported to officers.
May (pictured playing for Penrith earlier this month) will fight charges that he allegedly punched a woman he knew in the face and leg.
The Panthers star’s lawyer (pictured) revealed the defense intends to call three witnesses when the matter returns to court.
May’s lawyer Abdul Reslan told Penrith Local Court on Tuesday that the young football star would fight the three charges at a court hearing scheduled for March next year.
Reslan said the defense was expected to call three witnesses during the hearing, and the police prosecutor said the officers themselves were interviewing at least two other witnesses.
In an earlier statement, New South Wales Police said the 22-year-old was arrested at a Penrith address on May 18 “in relation to an alleged domestic violence incident that occurred last month (April).”
Police said they were informed on April 8 that May had allegedly assaulted a woman he knew during an argument at a home in Werrington, including punching her in the face and leg.
In a statement issued on the same day as May’s arrest, the Penrith Panthers said they were “aware of an alleged incident involving player Taylan May, which resulted in police charges.”
The alleged attack in which May (pictured) was arrested last month occurred in April, according to police.
The 22-year-old Penrith winger (pictured outside a Sydney pitch on Tuesday) has been stood down indefinitely by the NRL.
‘Panthers have informed the NRL Integrity Unit and will co-operate throughout the process. “As this is a legal matter, the club will not be making any further comments at this time,” the statement said.
NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo later told Triple M it was “really unfortunate that we’re having this conversation”.
The Blacktown-born flanker was due to travel to Brisbane the day after his arrest with the Penrith Panthers as they faced the New Zealand Warriors, but did not take part in the game.
The NRL later confirmed in a statement on Thursday that the league had recalled May indefinitely “subject to the condition of no-fault withdrawal under NRL Rules”.
May made his NRL debut with the Penrith Panthers during their 2021 season, before missing the 2022 NRL Grand Final and the entire 2023 NRL season due to injury.
The 22-year-old played for the Samoa national team during the 2021 Rugby League World Cup. In February 2024, he competed in Penrith’s World Club Challenge final defeat against Wigan.