Tyrone May's surprise move after NRL Instagram backlash
Penrith Panthers player Tyrone May has shut down his Instagram account after deleting a controversial post referencing his conviction for his sex tape scandal.
In the days after Penrith's grand final triumph, May posted a picture of himself and Panthers coach Ivan Cleary outside court.
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He accompanied the post with lyrics from the Drake song 'Fair Trade' implying there had been 'dirt' thrown on his name.
The post attracted significant criticism considering May had pleaded guilty to four counts of intentionally recording an intimate image without consent in 2019.
A magistrate sentenced him to 300 hours of community service and placed May on a three-year good behaviour bond, describing his behaviour as 'reprehensible'.
As of Friday, May's Instagram account could no longer be found on the platform, with the 25-year-old having already deleted the post in question several days earlier.
The Panthers have attracted more attention than they would have liked as they celebrate the premiership, with their use of social media criticised by some.
Images of the broken NRL premiership trophy were shared on various social media accounts, with the likenesses of Norm Provan and Arthur Summons carried around in a stroller and child harness slammed as being 'disrespectful'.
Ahead of his shoulder surgery tomorrow, Nathan Cleary faced a grilling from the Integrity Unit. Cleary and Tyrone May were interviewed remotely in relation to the three Panthers supporters who illegally crossed the border and snuck into the Grand Final. #NRL #7NEWS pic.twitter.com/q8GDFfs7Um
— 7NEWS Sydney (@7NewsSydney) October 12, 2021
Some NRL figures were also left unimpressed after footage of Viliame Kikau singing the South Sydney club song emerged.
May and teammate Nathan Cleary are also set to be interviewed by the NRL Integrity Unit, after three men who flouted health and border restrictions to illegally attend the NRL grand final were pictured celebrating with the pair after the game.
There is no suggestion either May or Cleary were aware the men had broken the rules at the time, or were aware they had even travelled to Queensland.
NRL wants answers on Penrith trophy break
The NRL has asked Penrith for a "please explain" after images emerged of them partying with a badly broken premiership trophy.
Photos on social media show Penrith players with the broken Provan-Summons trophy, with the gladiators sculpture away from its base.
In one of the images, Norm Provan and Arthur Summons can be seen in what appears to be a pram with the caption "googoo gaga" on the image.
The situation is understood to have upset NRL CEO Andrew Abdo, particularly given the status the trophy image has in the game.
It's believed the Panthers will point out that the trophy has been damaged worse in the past, with breaks common in trophies across many sporting leagues.
But the images that have been spread since is what has earned the ire of head office.
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.
With AAP
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