Penrith coach Ivan Cleary delivered a frosty press conference on Tuesday when he repeatedly shut down questions about 22-year-old star Taylan May’s domestic violence charges.
May pleaded not guilty on Tuesday to charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and two counts of stalking or intimidating another person with the intention of causing them to fear physical or mental harm, after allegations he punched his wife then subsequently stalked her.
May will next front court in March 2025, and has been stood down under the NRL’s “no-fault stand down” rules.
The Sydney Morning Herald yesterday reported the Panthers have opened talks with the NRL over receiving salary cap relief given May will be unavailable for the rest of the season (and until his court case concludes).
But Cleary was in no mood to talk about May in a Panthers press conference.
After being asked if he’s disappointed that May will be out for the season, Cleary replied: “We already said I’m not going to mention it. I’m not going to talk about it mate.”
Questions kept rolling in, with Cleary adding: “How many times do I have to say it? I’m not talking about it.”
As more journalists piped up, asking about why he won’t speak about the absence of a star player – even apart from speaking about the ongoing case – Cleary still replied: “It’s a legal matter.”
After yet another question, a club staffer then intervened to say the club had released a statement and no further comment would be forthcoming.
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