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Taylan May at centre of NRL controversy after suspension delayed

Sam Goodwin
·Sports Editor
·4-min read
Taylan May, pictured here in action for the Panthers against the South Sydney Rabbitohs.
Taylan May in action for the Panthers against the South Sydney Rabbitohs. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images) (Getty Images)

NRL fans have reacted with anger after Taylan May was hit with a two-match suspension on Tuesday but allowed to play in Penrith's finals campaign.

One week after being found guilty of a pub assault, May was fined $7500 by the NRL on Tuesday and ordered to undergo counselling and educational training.

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He was also hit with a two-game suspension, but the NRL opted to hold back the ban until the start of next season.

In doing so, the league allowed Penrith to name the 21-year-old winger in their team for Friday's finals opener against Parramatta, ending a nervous six-day wait for the young Panther.

Given that the incident occurred last October and the verdict was only handed down last week, the NRL felt it would be unfair to rub May out of finals games.

"In proposing the timing of the match suspension, the NRL considered a number of factors including when the incident took place the date at which the proceedings were finalised and the impact of a match suspension at this time of year," the NRL said in a statement.

May had been out with teammates celebrating Penrith's premiership triumph when he dragged a man to the ground inside a Sunshine Coast pub.

Taylan May, pictured here in action for the Panthers against the Raiders.
Taylan May in action for the Panthers against the Raiders. (Photo by Mark Evans/Getty Images) (Mark Evans via Getty Images)

After fighting the charge, May was found guilty of assault occasioning bodily harm in Maroochydore Magistrates Court.

He had no conviction recorded, but was fined $1000 and ordered to pay another $1000 to the victim.

Half of the NRL's fine against May has been suspended, while he must begin undertaking the counselling and education immediately.

The NRL's decision to delay May's suspension has caused outrage amongst fans and commenators, with some suggesting the move sets a dangerous precedent.

Roosters lose Joey Manu until NRL grand final

Meanwhile, the Sydney Roosters will have to make the grand final without star centre Joey Manu with the club fearing he will miss at least three weeks with his calf injury.

In a devastating blow for both the Roosters and Manu, captain James Tedesco confirmed on Monday that the club's biggest x-factor had received bad news on his calf.

Even in the best-case scenario, Manu will miss three weeks of football after he went down in Friday night's win over South Sydney.

It means he will miss Sunday's elimination final return bout with the Rabbitohs, as well as potentially the semi-final and preliminary final if the Roosters progress.

"He's obviously disappointed," Tedesco told AAP at the NRL finals launch.

"They're saying three to four (weeks). So it's going to be touch and go.

"But we've spoke about it; no matter who's in our team, we've showed our depth over the past couple of years.

"Whoever comes into our team is going to do a good job for us. We've got all the confidence in the world on that."

with AAP

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