Taylan May withdraws lawsuit against Penrith and leaves the club

Taylan May has scrapped plans to sue Penrith over an attempt to terminate his NRL contract, instead accepting a severance package to leave the club with immediate effect.

May officially became a free agent on Friday when the center was finally released from his contract after two hearings.

At this time, the 22-year-old is still fighting domestic violence charges related to an alleged April 8 incident involving his wife.

May pleaded not guilty to assault and two counts of stalking.

The AAP was told that May has already received interest from clubs at home and abroad, including rugby union clubs.

Since then, he has been spotted training with Hull KR’s junior team in England, alongside his brother Tyrone at the Super League club.

Club officials have confirmed his arrival, but stressed to Rugby League Hub that they are not ready to sign May.

The full-back has not played under the NRL’s no-fault stand-down policy since his charge in May.

He does not have to appear in court again until March 2025 and will not be able to play in the NRL until the case is concluded.

Depending on the outcome of the legal proceedings, the centre could still sign with an NRL club and return to play during his suspension.

Although there is no firm agreement between the NRL and Super League to apply the no-fault stand-down policy in England, it remains to be seen whether such a deal will be registered in the country.

May had extended his contract with the Panthers in March, but the three-time premiers attempted to terminate his contract during his hiatus.

The club had sent the center a request for comment in May, relating to matters beyond the domestic violence charge.

The statement is said to have also covered an incident in October 2021 in Queensland, where May was found guilty of assaulting a man during the final celebrations in Penrith.

There were no convictions in connection with this incident.

May also caused a stir this year when a video was posted on social media that appeared to show him in the passenger seat of a speeding car.

Following a meeting between May and Penrith earlier last month, the club issued a second notice of request to the centre for comment in relation to the domestic violence charges.

May then filed suit in federal court, seeking damages and compensation, claiming that the Panthers had violated labor laws.

On Friday, Penrith announced that the player had accepted an undisclosed sum to leave the club where he made his NRL debut in 2021.

AAP has confirmed that the civil case between May and the Panthers has been settled.

“Taylan May is leaving the Penrith Panthers with immediate effect and is looking for other opportunities,” the club said in a statement on Friday.

May played the last of his 30 games for the Panthers in the round 10 loss against Canterbury, with new signing Paul Alamoti emerging as his preferred replacement at centre since then.

The club lured Asu Kepaoa from the Wests Tigers as a replacement mid-season and also boasts young talents Jesse and Casey McLean, who can play at full-back.