NRL player Tylan May to contest domestic violence charge in court
A rising NRL star has been indefinitely stood down after being charged with allegedly punching a woman in the face and leg during an argument at a home in western Sydney. Penrith Panthers winger Taylan May, 22, was arrested earlier this month and charged with domestic violence-related assault causing bodily harm and two counts of stalking or intimidation.
Police allege that May punched a woman he knew during an argument in April at a Werrington home in Sydney’s outer west, an incident which was reported to the authorities later.
May’s lawyer, Abdul Reslan, told Penrith Local Court on Tuesday that the young athlete intends to contest all three charges in a court hearing scheduled for March of next year. Reslan mentioned that the defense plans to call three witnesses, while the police prosecutor indicated that officers are interviewing at least two additional witnesses.
In an earlier statement, NSW Police reported that the 22-year-old was taken into custody at a Penrith address on May 18 “in relation to an alleged domestic violence incident that occurred last month (April).”
Police stated they were informed on April 8 that Mr. May had allegedly assaulted a woman known to him during an argument at a Werrington home, which included punching her in the face and leg.
On the day of Mr. May’s arrest, the Penrith Panthers released a statement acknowledging awareness of the alleged incident involving Taylan May, which had resulted in police charges. “The Panthers have informed the NRL Integrity Unit and will cooperate throughout the process. As this is a legal matter, the club will make no further comment at this stage,” the statement read.
NRL CEO Andrew Abdo later expressed to Triple M that it was “really unfortunate that we are having this conversation,” and that due to the “pretty serious charges,” Mr. May was not sent up.
The Blacktown-born player had been scheduled to travel to Brisbane the day after his arrest with the Penrith Panthers for a game against the New Zealand Warriors, but did not participate.
The NRL later confirmed in a Thursday statement that Mr. May had been indefinitely stood down by the league “subject to the No-Fault Stand Down condition under the NRL Rules.”
Mr. May debuted with the Penrith Panthers during the 2021 season but missed the 2022 NRL Grand Final and the entire 2023 season due to an injury. The 22-year-old also competed with the Samoan national team in the 2021 Rugby League World Cup and participated in Penrith’s World Club Challenge final loss against Wigan in February 2024.
