'Disrespectful': Tyrone May stood down as NRL fines Panthers trio
Penrith utility Tyrone May has been stood down indefinitely, while Nathan Cleary and Stephen Crichton were slapped with breach notices for a different matter following their grand final celebrations.
May was stood down from the Panthers after an NRL breach notice and a $7,500 fine for a social media post during the Panthers' grand final celebrations.
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Halfback Nathan Cleary and outside back Stephen Crichton have also been handed fines of $7,000 and $4000 respectively after video emerged of them acting in a "disrespectful manner" towards the premiership trophy.
The trophy was damaged, which included the figurine of Norm Provan and Arthur Summons having been separated and placed in a stroller in one video.
However, May was stood down as a consequence of a social media post.
The post made reference to his convictions over four counts of intentionally recording an intimate image without consent.
May, who pleaded guilty, was sentenced to 300 hours of community service and narrowly avoided jail in January 2020.
The post included photos of Panthers coach Ivan Cleary arriving alongside him at court during the case.
It also included lyrics from the rap artist Drake which included the line: "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."
Panthers to foot the bill for trophy repairs
Panthers chief executive Brian Fletcher said Cleary and Crichton didn't intend to show disrespect to Norm Provan or Arthur Summons.
However, while the club has to foot the bill for the trophy repairs, the Panthers apologised for any anger caused.
"The Panthers players had no intention to show disrespect towards the trophy, Norm Provan or Arthur Summons, however they understand that's how their actions may have been interpreted," he said in a statement.
"Everyone at Panthers is well aware of the immense contributions Norm and Arthur made to our game and the high esteem in which they are held by everyone involved in rugby league.
"On behalf of the club I sincerely apologise for any offence or distress this matter may have caused the rugby league community and particularly the Provan and Summons families."
All three players have five days to respond to the NRL's sanctions.
with AAP
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