Terrell May pursues legal action against trolls over Roosters rumours
Outgoing Roosters prop Terrell May has issued a series of cease and desist notices against online fan groups for spreading rumours about him and his family as he weighs up his future.
May was informed last week that
he is free to leave the Roosters immediately despite only signing a $950,000 contract extension in April, fuelling speculation about an off-field incident triggering the club’s move.
As reported by this masthead, multiple Roosters sources speaking on the condition of anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the matter have
stressed that there is no major off-field issue with the rising front-rower.
Rugby league’s rumour mill nonetheless went into overdrive, with multiple websites publishing what May’s manager described as “false and damaging” rumours about the 25-year-old and his family.
May’s manager, David Rawlings of Foundation Sports Group, confirmed three cease and desist notices have been issued to social media accounts, with further legal action being weighed up against one Facebook group this week.
“The NRL’s taken a stance over the past few years in calling out player abuse, guys like Latrell Mitchell have taken really strong stances, Jarome Luai too and there’s just no reason to tolerate any abuse,” Rawlings said.
“We’ve sent cease and desist notices out to certain Facebook groups because the personal impact of some of the defamatory commentary, it’s just not on.
“Where there’s appropriate legal recourse, we will hold people to account because how else does the message get through?”
May was rattled by the Roosters call that he was free to leave last week and declined to comment on his future after playing for Samoa against England on Saturday.
He returns to Sydney later this week and will begin to explore interest already registered by rival clubs, with the likes of Wests Tigers, Dragons and Canterbury in the market for front-rowers.
This masthead reported last week that there are figures at the Roosters that held reservations around whether May was the right cultural fit for the club.
Sources have indicated that coach Trent Robinson has no issue with May on or off the field, with salary cap management and realigning a roster packed with quality forwards driving May’s exit.
Roosters teammate Angus Crichton spoke on Friday in defence of May, having been made aware of the rumours swirling around the club’s decision.
“He is literally straight as an arrow,” Crichton said. “He doesn’t drink, he is a really good guy and he hasn’t done anything off the field to warrant this.
“So for people that are speculating and talking out of tongue, just stop it, and wait until the full story comes to light. He is a good person.”
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The rorters could have put this to bd immediately?