The NRL takes action after footy star Taylan May was charged with punching his wife in the face – with star accused of drug trafficking also punished by the league

Taylan May has been stood down indefinitely by the NRL as the Penrith centre prepares to face court on domestic violence charges.

May was informed on Thursday he would fall under the game’s no-fault stand-down policy – meaning he cannot play again until his court case is finalised.

The 22-year-old had already sat out of Penrith training earlier this week, after he was arrested early on Saturday morning.

It is alleged May punched a woman in the face during an argument on April 8. He will face court on May 28.

He has been charged with 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.

The Penrith Panthers superstar is accused of domestic violence

May missed a game last month for personal reasons, but Penrith were not aware of the alleged incident until informed on the weekend.

The centre recently signed a two-year extension at Penrith worth close to $1.5 million for 2025 and 2026. That deal now hangs in the balance.

His Saturday morning charge ended a week in which the NRL also informed Manly reserve-grader Brandon Wakeham that he would be stood down under the no-fault policy.

Wakeham was arrested near Brookvale Oval last Wednesday, and faces charges of supplying prohibited drugs and participating in a criminal group.

Brandon Wakeham has also been stood down amid drug charges

The former Canterbury and Wests Tigers half was granted bail at Manly local court last week, and his lawyer has indicated Wakeham will fight the charges.

While Wakeham is not part of Manly’s top-30 squad, his contract is still registered with the NRL and he is therefore subject to the game’s off-field rules.

The stand down means Wakeham is ineligible to play in NSW Cup for Manly’s feeder-club Blacktown.

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