St Helens star deserves “10-week ban” say Penrith fans after “illegal tackle” ends star’s season
PENRITH, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 18: Isaah Yeo of the Panthers is tackled during the World Club Challenge and NRL Trial Match between the Penrith Panthers and St Helens at BlueBet Stadium on February 18, 2023 in Penrith, Australia. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)
During St Helens’ monumental win over Penrith Panthers, the Panthers’ star winger Taylan May was forced off after a tackle from Agnatius Paasi.
It has now been confirmed that he will miss the entire season and it is safe to say Penrith fans are not happy.
This is the statement issued by the club:
“Panthers winger Taylan May will miss the 2023 NRL season after sustaining an ACL injuring during the World Club Challenge against St Helens.
“The Samoa international suffered the knee injury during the first half of Saturday night’s match.
“Scans revealed May will require surgery on the ACL injury, ruling him out for the entire season.”
Following this fans described it an “illegal tackle” and questioned why Paasi would get no punishment.
A direct result of foul play, a season ending injury, and yet it appears @Saints1890 Ignatius Paasi gets off without punishment. What is the point of making that tackle illegal if there's no punishment? https://t.co/IGw6eXIjXD
— Matt Pritchard (@MattPNBL) February 20, 2023
Others were furious that they didn’t even get a penalty.
And no penalty? @NRL #NRL https://t.co/Rb0yOUf0qB
— INFJ-T 🪷🌿 (@absurdiem) February 20, 2023
And the tackle wasn't even awarded a PENALTY!
If Ashley Klein is the best ref in the game, the game is in REALLY bad place.
— KT 🖤♥️💛💚 🏆🏆🏆 (@KayGee4Three) February 20, 2023
Yep and that injury was caused by a no penalty cannonball tackle. Poor fella wish him well
— scott (@scott64212498) February 20, 2023
Things reached an extreme point when one fan called for a 10 week ban.
They also quite rightly pointed out concern over the grey area that is the World Club Challenge and who is in charge of bans from that game.
No matter who the player, this is just bad to see. Unsure how judiciary works for the #WCC but the @NRL need to bring in a mandatory 10 week suspension for any player who is found guilty of a cannonball tackle. The game is tough enough without that crap in the game.
— Bags of fun (@doineed2dothis) February 20, 2023
Many were not happy with former Super League referee Ashley Klein who declined the penalty.
It wasn't even a penalty and Klein maxe us play on and play the ball next to the injured player. And they say they care for the players. What a joke
— Grazmus (@GraZmus) February 20, 2023
Many fans had been up in arms about the tackle well before this news.
One of those was the always outspoken League Freak who bemoaned that it “happened a few times.”
He said on Twitter: “Illegal tackle. Wasn’t penalise. Happened a few times.”
Illegal tackle. Wasn’t penalise. Happened a few times. #PantherPride #RugbyLeague #NRL https://t.co/r0uwO9Bmnp
— League Freak (@LeagueFreak) February 19, 2023
Others described it as “a bad one.”
That’s a bad one that one. Hope nothing bad
— jordanjackelyse (@jordanjackelyse) February 19, 2023
Whilst another referenced the tackle that caused Tyrone May to suffer a dislocated hip in the Rugby League World Cup.
Looked a bit like the tackle that put his brother out of the World Cup and still hasn't recovered.
— Amarillo (@Amarillo1942237) February 19, 2023
Others suggested that it was worthy of a ban.
Not even a penalty? What’s the view down under on that? My first reaction was a ban incoming for it; not got any better watching again – though Tbf, I think we’ve seen this pretty much disappear in SL (can’t remember the last one I saw)
— Neil Ormston (@NeilOrmston) February 19, 2023
Whilst others continued to reiterate that they felt it was a bad tackle.
That’s not a good tackle that.
— jordanjackelyse (@jordanjackelyse) February 19, 2023
Naturally, the words “cannon ball” also made an appearance: