Footy great makes grovelling apology and takes a shocking step after making a huge mistake with an NRL star accused of domestic violence
Two NRL stars have come under fire for planning to publish an interview with banned Penrith star Taylan May on their podcast, despite the former Panther facing court over alleged domestic violence offences.
Bulldogs star Josh Addo-Carr and former Penrith and South Sydney winger Josh Mansour host the Let’s Trot podcast, where they interview NRL personalities each week.
The Let’s Trot podcast had been promoting its upcoming show, which would debut on Wednesday, August 21, and air in May.
May, 22, is facing domestic violence charges and was suspended by the Panthers under the NRL’s no-fault stand-down policy. She left the club in July.
He has pleaded not guilty to stalking and three counts of domestic violence, following an alleged row at his Werrington home in April.
The case is adjourned until March 2025.
The Let’s Trot podcast was set to release its latest episode featuring May, posting on social media: ‘Taylan May UNCUT! You don’t wanna miss this fam. Episode drops Wednesday’.
Josh Mansour shared a promo for the interview with Taylan Man on his Instagram
The podcast promoted the interview with Taylan May on Instagram, which led to public outrage
Let’s Trot podcast co-host Josh Mansour has apologized and promised to ensure the episode doesn’t air
This action led to great outrage on social media.
“I have never been so disappointed in someone I ‘love’ as I was in Josh Mansour tonight,” one football fan posted.
‘Taylan May is not a victim who wants his story told; he is a self-absorbed narcissistic scumbag who does not need the limelight. If he is found innocent, maybe, but not yet.’
“I asked why they felt the need to give a platform to someone accused of domestic violence instead of waiting until the case was resolved. They defended the decision. They have now removed it,” another fan posted.
That prompted Mansour to publicly apologize on social media on Monday morning, after the original post was deleted.
“I sincerely apologize for the lack of foresight and timing in interviewing Taylan, especially before the trial could take place,” he posted.
‘My intention was to better understand Taylan as a person and his growing up in rugby league.
‘Again, the timing was bad, I made bad judgments and I admit that.
‘Finally, given the allegations, you must understand that I personally would never condone domestic violence in any form.
“I will learn from this and be more careful next time. I hope my community can forgive me.”
Mansour also responded to a private message from a football fan who was angry about the interview with May that was scheduled to air on August 21
Taylan May pretends to take pictures of photographers as he leaves court after domestic abuse allegations
The move was the same as one of his try celebrations when he played for the Penrith Panthers
The apology came after an X user named Victoria posted a message protesting the podcast’s continuation. The post was later deleted, so Victoria sent the former NRL star a private message.
“Hey Josh, I have to send this to you because you strategically turned off the responses,” Victoria texted Mansour.
You say you can’t miss it, but I think in reality you’re completely missing the point.
‘I genuinely have a lot of respect for your career and have always thought you were a down to earth, nice guy, but I really can’t understand why you would do an interview with someone who is currently facing serious allegations of domestic abuse.
‘As an entrepreneur, it’s a terrible decision to say the least, because this is what people will think about forever.
Especially if he is found guilty.
‘But as a father of a daughter, husband of a wife and son of a mother, how can you live with this?
What would you think if you saw an interview with someone who has been accused of assaulting, intimidating and stalking one of their own?
‘Just think about that for a moment.’
May is currently on non-active status under the NRL’s no-fault stand-down policy and no contract will be registered until his legal proceedings are concluded.
Mansour said it was not his intention to promote domestic violence and asked for forgiveness from his online community
To Victoria’s surprise, Mansour responded, apologizing for the promotion and promising that the episode would not air.
“Hi Victoria, I made a mistake here, sorry for my naivety,” Mansour messaged.
‘I have not looked into the extent of the situation surrounding Taylan and his domestic violence case and certainly have not given him a platform to talk about it.
‘I am strongly against domestic violence against women and have requested that the broadcast be removed and the episode not aired.
“I apologize if I offended you in any way. I will do my best to correct this error in judgment.”
Mansour has been approached for comment by Ny Breaking Australia.
May had also received a series of warnings from the Panthers for incidents including swearing on social media, a video post showing May as a passenger in a car driving 60 mph in a school zone and allegations that he punched a woman in the face and leg.
The representative centre signed a lucrative two-year extension earlier this season but is now a free agent. However, he will not be able to play for a new club even if he signs, as the no-fault stand-down rules remain in place.
May would have to wait until his case is concluded, which may not be until after the start of the next NRL season.