A rising NRL star, Taylan May, has been indefinitely stood down after being charged with allegedly assaulting a woman. The Penrith Panthers winger, aged 22, faces charges of domestic violence-related assault causing bodily harm and two counts of stalking or intimidation. Police allege that during an argument at a Werrington home in Sydney’s outer west in April, May punched a woman known to him in the face and leg. This incident was reported to police shortly after.
May’s lawyer, Abdul Reslan, announced in Penrith Local Court that May will contest all three charges at a hearing scheduled for March next year. The defense plans to call three witnesses, while police are interviewing at least two additional witnesses. NSW Police confirmed that May was taken into custody on May 18 in connection with the alleged incident.
Following the charges, the Penrith Panthers stated that they are aware of the incident and have informed the NRL Integrity Unit. The club will cooperate with the process but will not comment further due to the ongoing legal proceedings. NRL CEO Andrew Abdo expressed regret over the situation and the severity of the charges, leading to May’s indefinite stand-down under the No-Fault Stand Down condition of NRL rules.
May, who debuted with the Panthers in 2021, missed the 2022 NRL Grand Final and the entire 2023 season due to injury. He represented Samoa in the 2021 Rugby League World Cup and played in Penrith’s World Club Challenge final loss to Wigan in February 2024.
