The Mole: Panthers set to gag players from coming out in support of sacked star Tyrone May
Penrith officials are set to ban players from making any further comment over the sacking of controversial utility Tyrone May by the club yesterday.
An ugly situation got even messier for the premiers when May's younger brother, who is also contracted to the Panthers, and superstar halfback Nathan Cleary both posted messages of support.
Nathan Cleary supported sacked Panthers player Tyrone May on Instagram. Getty/Instagram
May was sacked after publishing an inflammatory post on social media shortly after the grand final that appeared to reference his highly publicised court case, which saw him labelled "morally reprehensible" and "criminal" by a magistrate.
The 25-year-old was sentenced to 300 hours of community service and a three-year good behaviour bond after pleading guilty to four counts of intentionally recording an intimate image without consent. He missed the entire 2019 season while the matter was before the courts.
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Immediately after the club took action yesterday, the axed star's brother Taylan May jumped to his defence on social media, declaring: "Realist one always stayed loyal to bad loyalty gets you no where. It's always just business. Head up we move forward no matter what."
Cleary, May's former house-mate, posted an image of the pair accompanied by the words: "My brother no matter what got you always."
Nathan Cleary of the Panthers waves to the crowd as he celebrates victory in the 2021 NRL Grand Final Getty
But the Panthers, already in damage control, want to put the whole saga to bed - for good.
"The club made a tough decision and now we just want to move on," a senior Panthers insider said.
"We understand the players like Tyrone and consider he is one of them but it is time to put this behind us and stand together as a club.
"As such, the players will be told that we don't want to see any more comments from them about it.
"We will, however, continue to help Tyrone get through this and monitor his mental health."
Several clubs contacted by Wide World of Sports this morning said they would not ne interested in signing May and his future in the NRL appears very doubtful.
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