May hit with show-cause notice as Panthers look to tear up contract

Tyrone May has seven days to save his NRL career with Penrith deciding to issue him a show-cause notice after his controversial social media post after this year’s grand final.

The one-year extension he signed for the 2022 season, which was recently registered by the NRL, is now in serious danger of being torn up.

Tyrone May and the Instagram post that has again landed him in hot water.Credit:NRL Photos, Instagram

The Herald can reveal the Panthers board gathered on Wednesday morning to discuss May’s future, deciding to give the 25-year-old an opportunity to front the club’s directors next week and convince them why his contract shouldn’t be torn up.

The club issued a statement on Wednesday afternoon.

“At today’s meeting of the Panthers Board of Directors it was determined May’s conduct constituted a serious breach of his NRL playing contract,” it read.

“In accordance with disciplinary protocol, May will have the opportunity to appear before the Board next Wednesday before a sanction is imposed.”

The Herald understands May’s off-field indiscretions during his time at the Panthers, which were brought back into the spotlight following his social media post in the aftermath of Penrith’s premiership victory, have taken their toll on decision-makers at the club.

While he still retains the support of coach Ivan Cleary and superstar halfback Nathan Cleary, the club has been inundated by criticism and concern from sponsors and members since his post.

After a few days, and at the direction of the club, May removed the post but was fined by the NRL and will be required to undergo education before he is allowed to play for Penrith or another team.

“And the dirt that they threw on my name turned to soil and I grew up out it,” May posted referencing Drake’s Fair Trade song.

“Time for y’all to figure out what y’all gon’ do about it. Love my brothers.”

Privately, May has told those close to him that his post was in reference to those who doubted him as a kid and said he wouldn’t amount to anything coming from the western Sydney suburb of Tregear.

However, given the main picture of his post was taken outside the courts during the club’s sex tape saga, there are plenty of people at the Panthers who are sceptical about his declared intentions.

Under the NRL’s no-fault stand down policy, May missed the entire 2019 NRL season while the matter was before the courts.

May last year pleaded guilty to four counts of intentionally recording an intimate image without consent, sentenced to 300 hours community service and placed on a three-year good behaviour bond.

He subsequently returned to the NRL midway through last year, playing in the past two grand finals for Penrith.

More to come

Share this post