Players union angry over application of stand down policy

THE NRL’s “no-fault stand down” policy has been slammed as unfair and inconsistent by rugby league’s players’ union after Wests Tigers star Josh Reynolds and Penrith Panthers utility Tyrone May were cleared to play this season.

May was stood down for the 2019 campaign after being charged with filming four sex tapes without consent.

The 23-year-old was convicted last week and put on a good behaviour bond for three years. He will also have to perform 300 hours of community service.

Yesterday, the NRL said May could return to playing in Round 5 so long as he agreed to attend and complete a “secondary prevention program”.

He will also be fined 25 per cent of his 2019 salary by the Panthers.

“Tyrone May has effectively served a 12-month suspension from the game, which reflects the seriousness with which the game treats these offences,” NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg said.

The Rugby League Players’ Association said May’s sanctions were “unprecedented” and they would be discussing the issue with the player and his legal representatives.

“May has now been subjected to a 28-game suspension and a fine at the highest end of what can be enforced by clubs under the NRL contract,” RLPA chief executive Ian Prendergast said.

“In our view the use of the no-fault stand down rule has significantly compounded this sanction — which is in no way fair, nor does it provide consistency for our members.”

Reynolds, who has pleaded not guilty to assault occasioning bodily harm charges relating to an alleged domestic violence incident in Sydney last year, will not be subject to the stand-down policy.

The 30-year-old reiterated his innocence outside court following a brief mention of his matter in Sutherland Local Court yesterday.

Greenberg said Reynolds’s openness had played a role in that decision.