South Sydney to use Taylan May case to avoid 2025 ban – as Latrell Mitchell receives breach notice from his club

South Sydney are set to invoke the controversial Taylan May case in a bid to have Latrell Mitchell serve his suspension this NRL season.

The development comes after the embattled fullback received a warning from the Rabbitohs, announcing possible sanctions from the club following the white substance scandal in a Dubbo hotel room.

The Rabbitohs are reportedly set to point to the case surrounding former Panthers winger May, who was given the green light to play in the 2022 finals series despite a two-match suspension from the NRL.

The suspension followed May’s conviction for assault occasioning actual bodily harm following an incident at a pub on the Sunshine Coast.

May tore his anterior cruciate ligament during the Panthers’ World Club Challenge pre-season and will miss the entire 2023 season as a result. He did, however, serve a two-game suspension while on the sidelines.

Mitchell is expected to accept a one-match suspension and $20,000 fine from the NRL, following an investigation by the NRL Integrity Unit, which issued him a warning for allegedly breaching the NRL’s code of conduct.

The Indigenous role model will represent South Sydney council next week, where he is expected to be fined again.

Earlier this month, he made headlines when a photo surfaced showing Mitchell leaning over a table covered in a white substance.

The development comes after the troubled fullback received a warning from the Rabbitohs outlining possible sanctions from the club following the white substance scandal from a Dubbo hotel room (pictured).

Former Panthers star Taylan May has been cleared to play in the 2022 NRL finals series despite a two-match suspension by the NRL following an earlier incident at a Sunshine Coast pub

Ny Breaking Australia does not claim the substance was an illegal drug.

Mitchell played just 11 games this season before injuring his foot.

He is often a magnet for controversy. He was banned for three games after elbowing Warriors halfback Shaun Johnson in the final minutes. He was then embroiled in a spat with Anthony Mundine that dragged on for weeks after the Spencer Leniu and Ezra Mam racism saga.

When you factor in Mitchell’s abusive post-match interview with Triple M, followed by his public spat with NRL 360 presenter Braith Anasta at a Sydney restaurant, it’s understandable that the club’s management have had enough.

‘Trell Mit’ helped the NSW Blues win the Origin series with a convincing performance in the second match at the MCG. However, he was injured in an incident against the Eels which ruled him out for the rest of the season.

Meanwhile, former NSW Blues captain Paul Gallen has called on the Rabbitohs to show better leadership when it comes to managing Mitchell.

“Everything you hear from South Sydney is that Latrell is fine. We’re just worried about the football… Well, that can’t happen when you’ve got someone who’s constantly attracting so much attention, whether it’s positive or negative,” he said this week.

“I don’t see South Sydney nipping it in the bud at all. I see him constantly behaving the way he wants to and it keeps going round in circles.

“I actually feel a little sorry for him. If they really do fine him $200,000 – which is what I’ve heard is the rumor – I would be as disgusted as I was Latrell, because I honestly believe the club should take some responsibility for the way he’s conducted himself.

Wayne Bennett has [next season as head coach] there will be help, no one has [previously] had the balls to stand up to Latrell and say, ‘No, you can’t do that.’

“And look where they are now.”