NRL demand 'please explain' from Panthers over broken trophy
The NRL is demanding an explanation from the Penrith Panthers after photos of the broken NRL trophy were circulated on social media this week.
Photos emerged on social media of Penrith players with the broken Provan-Summons trophy, with the sculpture of the two men away from the base.
'NO BRAINER': NRL set to expand after $100m Peter V'landys deal
OPINION: Melbourne Storm's 'hangover' an NRL embarrassment
NRL boss Andrew Abdo is reportedly livid with the situation, with the Daily Telegraph suggesting league bosses are unhappy about the 'disrespect' with which the trophy has been treated.
In one of the images, the likenesses of Norm Provan and Arthur Summons can be seen in what appears to be a pram with the caption "googoo gaga" on the image.
The trophy being damaged amid the grand final celebrations is not unheard of, but it was the photos and overall reckless treatment of the trophy which is understood to have league heavyweights off-side.
The images, which were reportedly posted on Instagram by the partner of one of the players, also showed the detached statue in a child's shoulder strap with the caption 'dad duties'.
An NRL spokesman has confirmed to AAP that the league has asked the Panthers for an explanation.
It's also possible that the club could be sanctioned, as well as being charged for any repair fees to the trophy.
The trophy could cost the Panthers up to $30,000 to repair.
Once repaired, the trophy will return to NRL headquarters, as premiership-winning teams are given the opportunity to purchase a replica trophy to display at the club.
It's been an eventful week of celebrations for the Panthers, with a couple of moments breaking through online to cause controversy.
Tyrone May deletes controversial Instagram post after backlash
Panthers player Tyrone May was criticised by fans for an Instagram post in which he referenced his criminal conviction from last year.
May was charged with four counts of intentionally recording an intimate image without consent, which he pleaded guilty to in January 2020, having missed the previous season under the NRL's 'no fault' stand down policy.
He was handed a three-year good behaviour bond and ordered to complete 300 hours of community service, with May returning to the Panthers fold soon after.
The 25-year-old has stayed out of trouble since, but a series of posts made in the midst of Penrith's premiership celebrations have left some NRL fans frustrated.
May accompanied a picture of himself arriving at court with coach Ivan Cleary with lyrics from Canadian rapper Drake's song 'Fair Trade'.
The utility's choice of lyrics left many people with the impression he felt like he had been wronged, as opposed to being responsible for filming someone without their consent.
“And the dirt that they threw on my name/turned to soil and I grew up out it/time for y’all to figure out what y’all gon’ do about it,” the lyrics read.
Many NRL fans were disappointed by the post, who interpreted it as evidence that May felt he was the one who had been wronged in the situation.
May deleted the post soon afterwards.
Many other NRL players appeared in the comments of the now deleted post with Panthers centre Stephen Crichton writing "They hate but then they all copy".
The likes of Nathan Cleary, Brian To'o and Viliame Kikau were among several other high-profile NRL players to also post messages of support.
In addition to the criminal charges against him, May was also legally pursued for damages by one of the victims over the 'psychological damage' stemming from the illegal sex tape.
Both parties settled out of court earlier this year.
With AAP
Click here to sign up to our newsletter for all the latest and breaking stories from Australia and around the world.