Taylan May in fresh NRL fallout after signing contract extension with Penrith Panthers

The Panthers are reportedly considering terminating the contract of Taylan May, months after signing him to a two-year extension. The Sydney Morning Herald reported on Monday that May had been issued a show cause notice by the club for a series of breaches of the club's code of conduct.

According to SMH, the breaches were not related to allegations made by May's partner which resulted in him being charged with a series of domestic violence offences last month. The breaches are instead reported to have taken place before May signed the contract extension and go back "several years".

These breaches, according to the report, include the use of foul language on social media and a video he uploaded to his Instagram account which shows him in the passenger seat of a car driving up to 96 km/h in a school zone. The centre recently signed a two-year extension at Penrith worth close to $1.5 million for 2025 and 2026. That deal now hangs in the balance with May set to front the Panthers board next Tuesday over his off-field indiscretions where he will essentially have to convince the club to not tear up his contract.

Taylan May stood down under NRL 'no-fault stand down' policy

May last played for the Panthers in round 10. The 22-year-old is currently stood down by the NRL under the league's "no-fault stand down" rules as a result of his ongoing legal proceedings. 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.

He will next front court in March 2025 and therefore will not play for the remainder of the 2024 NRL season. According to SMH, the Panthers have contacted the NRL about receiving salary cap relief given May will not be available for at least the remainder of 2024.

with AAP