The Penrith Panthers are reportedly seeking to terminate the contract of centre Taylan May, who had recently agreed to a two-year extension with the club just three months ago. This development was first reported by The Sydney Morning Herald, which stated that the Panthers issued May a show cause notice due to multiple breaches of the club’s code of conduct.
These breaches, according to the report, are unrelated to the recent allegations made by May’s partner that led to him being charged with several domestic violence offenses last month. Instead, the breaches occurred before May signed his contract extension with the Panthers earlier this year and date back several years.
Among the breaches cited are an incident where May posted a video on Instagram showing him in the passenger seat of a car traveling at 96 kilometers per hour in a school zone, and the use of foul language on social media.
May is scheduled to appear before the Panthers board next Tuesday to address these off-field indiscretions, effectively fighting to retain his position at the club. When asked about May’s domestic violence charges last week, Penrith coach Ivan Cleary did not provide any updates, referring to it as a “legal matter.”
Last week, May pleaded not guilty to charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and two counts of stalking or intimidating another person with the intention of causing them to fear physical or mental harm. The 22-year-old has been stood down under the NRL’s “no-fault stand down” policy and will not play for the remainder of the season, as he is due to appear in court again in March 2025.
The Herald also reported that the Panthers have contacted the NRL seeking salary cap relief since May will be unavailable for at least the rest of the season.
