- Penrith star faces domestic violence charges
- He pleaded not guilty to three charges.
- He is in a battle in the Federal Court with his club
Suspended Penrith winger Taylan May has parted ways with the Panthers to pursue “other opportunities” despite his NRL career hanging in the balance as he awaits a court hearing in March 2025.
On Friday morning, the club confirmed that May, who had been stood down under the NRL’s no-fault suspension policy, was “leaving” the club immediately.
The club is understood to have negotiated a confidential settlement following a Federal Court battle following a failed attempt by the Panthers to sack him.
“Taylan May will leave the Panthers with immediate effect and is pursuing other opportunities,” the club said in a statement.
‘In respect of all parties, the club will not make any further comments on the matter.’
In a telling sign of how deep the rift between player and club runs, the statement failed to thank May for his services to the team despite the fact he played 30 games for them over three seasons, scoring 17 tries.
May, 22, faces charges of domestic violence offences. He has pleaded not guilty to stalking and three counts of domestic violence following an alleged argument at his Werrington home in April.
The matter is postponed until March 2025.
May (pictured left playing against Manly) had signed a two-year, $1.2 million contract extension with the Panthers in March, but that money is no longer available following his parting ways with the club.
The 22-year-old (pictured outside a Sydney court in May) has pleaded not guilty to three domestic violence charges.
The Panthers have also issued him a series of violation notices for incidents including slurs on social media, a video post showing May as a passenger in a car driving 60 mph in a school zone and allegations he punched a woman in the face and leg.
The representative centre signed a lucrative two-year contract extension earlier this season but is now a free agent. However, he will not be able to play for a new club even if he signs, given that no-fault suspension rules remain in place.
May would have to wait until her case is over, which could be after the start of the next NRL season.
Last month it emerged that May had secured a Federal Court victory over the Panthers, preventing the club from holding a second hearing to discuss his possible immediate dismissal.
The Panthers had already issued him a show cause notice in connection with earlier, unrelated incidents.
May (pictured outside court in May) has been involved in a legal battle with the Panthers in the Federal Court over the club’s efforts to sack him.
Penrith powerbrokers reportedly wanted to hand May another show-cause hearing that would likely see him moved from the hands of the current NRL premiers.
But through his lawyers, the Samoan international stopped the hearing after successfully applying for an injunction in the Federal Court on June 21.
It was suggested that sacking May would breach his rights as a professional rugby league player.
May’s not guilty plea to three domestic violence-related charges came after the 22-year-old signed a two-year extension worth $1.2 million with the Panthers in March.
He will next appear before Penrith Local Court on March 10 next year in relation to the three charges.
