Rugby league player Taylan May is expected to face court accused of punching a woman in the face during an argument.
The 22-year-old centre from NRL club Panthers is due to appear in Penrith Local Court on Tuesday to plead on 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.
May was arrested on May 18 after police allege he assaulted the woman on April 8 by punching her in the face during an altercation between the two.
He was stood down indefinitely by the NRL on May 23, falling under the game’s no-fault stand-down policy, which excludes him from playing until his court case is finalised.
The league’s decision comes after the player recently signed a two-year extension at Penrith Panthers worth close to $1.5 million.
Despite their decision, the NRL has said it “should in no way be interpreted as a view on the innocence or guilt” of May.
A statement issued by the club following May’s arrest said they “will continue to provide support to all parties involved and will not make any further comment at this time”.
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