Following backlash from a controversial post after Penrith’s NRL grand final win, utility Tyrone May has shut down his Instagram account.
Like many Panthers players, May took to social media to celebrate Penrith’s close win over the Rabbitohs at Suncorp Stadium, but his post referenced his legal troubles over recent years.
May pleaded guilty to four counts of intentionally recording an image without consent and in January, 2020, was sentenced to 300 hours of community service, as part of a three-year community corrections order.
May’s offending led to one of his victims to seek damages for “psychological injury” caused by the fallout from the illegally filmed sex tape.
May uploaded a series of photos with lyrics from ‘Fair Trade’ by rapper Drake as the caption following his side’s first premiership win since 2003.
The first photo was an image of himself attending court with coach Ivan Cleary, and the caption read:
“And the dirt that they threw on my name/turned to soil and I grew up out it/time for y’all to figure out what y’all gon’ do about it,” May wrote.
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The post attracted a heated reaction from NRL fans, who questioned why the Panther made himself out to be the victim. His teammates on the other hand, left messages of support in the comments section.
A few days after the decider the message was pulled. The NRL is reportedly looking into the post.
The NRL Integrity Unit is also investigating May and Penrith co-captain Nathan Cleary, after three Sydney-based men crossed the Queensland border with illegal work permits to attend the grand final.
The three men are understood to be friends with May and Cleary.
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