May was outstanding in the Demons' three-point win over North Melbourne on Saturday night, holding Nick Larkey goalless, but came under fire over the third-quarter incident.
Kangaroo Eddie Ford spun May around more than 360 degrees in a tackle before the pair went to ground, with the All-Australian backman landing on his shoulder.
May then pushed his own head into the turf and grabbed it as if he had been hurt.
He was awarded a free kick but is certain to be fined for staging when AFL match review officer Michael Christian hands down his findings on Sunday.
"It was an embarrassing effort."— AFL (@AFL) @kanecornes and @RileyBev discuss an incident involving Steven May and Eddie Ford on The Round So Far, thanks to @AAMI: https://t.co/brD0QlTHpK pic.twitter.com/DrOwxlE7hWJune 22, 2024
The incident comes amid a league-wide crackdown on head contact, with a huge focus on the effects of concussion in world sport.
Under AFL rules, "staging can include, but is not limited to, excessive exaggerating of contact in an unsportsmanlike manner".
It is a reportable offence because it may "affect umpires' decision-making, incite a melee and/or not be in the spirit of the game".
Players can be fined for staging, but former AFL match review panel member Nathan Burke called on the league to take it further by suspending May for his "disgraceful" actions.
"Hopefully Steven May's not playing next week," Burke said in commentary on ABC radio.
"I hope he (gets suspended) ... for embellishment. Staging, embellishment - whatever you want to call it.
"The umpire paid a dangerous tackle (but) his head did not hit the ground, yet he laid there holding his head.
"This game's hard enough for these umpires, let alone (with) players doing that and making it difficult for them.
"So the AFL are going to have to whack him."
Australian Football Hall of Fame member Burke was joined by a host of former players in decrying May's actions.
"It's one of his more embarrassing moments on the field," Port Adelaide 300-gamer Kane Cornes said on Nine.
"His head went nowhere near the ground, and then he's thrown his head into the ground and grabbed his head to suck in a free kick.
"It was poor umpiring to let (the tackle) go on so long, he should have blown his whistle earlier.
"I think he can be fined $1800, and absolutely Steven May deserves a fine for that."
The MRO findings will be released on Sunday afternoon.
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