Domestic violence charges against former Penrith winger Taylan May have been withdrawn, opening the door for the former Panthers player to make an immediate return to the NRL.

May had been stood down under the NRL’s no-fault policy since the charges were laid last April. But after the charges were withdrawn on Monday, ARLC chair Peter V’landys confirmed the 23-year-old was cleared to return to the game immediately.

“Now that there is no pending charge, he’s free to play,” V’landys said. “The no-fault stand down policy is always on police charge. The police charges have been dropped. He was stood down until the matter is concluded. It is now concluded. He’s free to play.

“The stand-down rule was a line-in-the-sand moment from the game that under no circumstances will we ever tolerate violence against women or children. If a player was charged by the police, then we stand the player down. As the charges have been withdrawn, and unless some other evidence comes forward, he’s free to play.”

May had been charged with punching a woman in the face during an altercation at a home in Sydney’s west.

The 23-year-old faced charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and two counts of stalk/intimidate with intent to cause fear of physical harm, as well as two counts of contravening an AVO. May pleaded not guilty and has always maintained his innocence.

Sources speaking on the condition of anonymity due to the sensitivities of the matter said that several NRL clubs were now considering whether to make a play for May.

At a hearing at Penrith Local Court on Monday, magistrate Stephen Corry adjourned the matter briefly to allow the alleged victim time to arrive at court. However, the matter has now been concluded after all charges were withdrawn.

May was considered one of the most promising outside backs in the NRL before the incident. The Samoan international had scored 17 tries in 30 games for the Panthers.

He has two football-playing siblings; prop forward Terrell May made his Wests Tigers debut on the weekend after being released by the Roosters, while the Panthers sacked Tyrone May for a post-grand final social media post in 2021, which was interpreted as him being vindicated following a sex-tape scandal that embroiled the club.