Suns’ May dodges penalty, Day out one week

GOLD Coast captain Steven May has been spared a suspension despite touching an umpire, and is free to lead his AFL side in China against Port Adelaide this weekend.

The 26-year-old pleaded not guilty to a charge of intentional contact and instead was found guilty of carelessly touching an official in the club’s heavy loss to Melbourne on Saturday.

The downgraded charge brought a $1000 fine, allowing May to take his part in the marquee fixture in Shanghai.

The Suns leader was referred directly to the tribunal after making contact with field umpire David Harris.

May said he didn’t even feel the umpire at the time.

“I actually didn’t realise I hit him when I was walking off the field for halftime and I saw the big screen,” he said on a video-link from the Gold Coast. “It happened really fast and I didn’t even know.”

May was replicating the contest that led to a free kick given against him by Harris when he touched the official.

He admitted being “frustrated” by the decision, with player advocate Stephen Russell saying May showed “no aggression and nothing of that sort” towards Harris.

The tribunal, chaired by Ross Howie, deliberated for 12 minutes before finding him not guilty.

Sam Day won’t be heading to China with the Suns after accepting a one-week ban for a low blow on Neville Jetta.