NRL legend Andrew Fifita charged over alleged vile act during A-grade park football game
Sharks 2016 grand final hero and current culture and welfare officer, Andrew Fifita, could miss the remainder of De La Salle’s season following an incident during a recent A-grade match.
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Former Cronulla Sharks star Andrew Fifita is facing a five-match suspension after being sent off for swearing during an A-grade park football match.
The 2016 grand final hero has been charged for calling a referee a c… while playing for De La Salle in the first half of a game against the Gymea Gorillas last weekend.
A guilty verdict at the judiciary would put Fifita out for the season as there are only three rounds left before the A-grade finals.
“De La Salle player Andrew Fifita has been charged with Grade Two offensive language directed at a match official against Gymea Gorillas at Captain Cook Oval on Saturday 19 July,” said a NSWRL spokesperson.
“He has pleaded not guilty and will face a judiciary hearing tomorrow night.
“The NSWRL will make no further comment until the judicial matter is complete.”
It is an awkward situation for the Cronulla Sharks in that Fifita is an employee of the club in culture and welfare.
He is also the coach of the club’s Tarsha Gale women’s junior representative side.
Cronulla chief executive Dino Mezzatesta told this masthead he has spoken to Fifita about the alleged incident.
“Andrew was sent off for swearing but he has advised the club he didn’t direct it at the referee it was directed at an opposing player who has also confirmed that the comment was directed at him,” Mezzatesta said.
“He has also acknowledged that the language was inappropriate all the same. Andrew is waiting for a date from NSWRL for his hearing where he will be contesting the charge. The Cronulla Sharks will wait for this process to be completed.”
De La Salle club president and Sharks board member Dave Nicholson spoke to this masthead earlier this year about Fifita playing in park football.
“He’ll be good around the younger boys,” Nicholson said.
“He brings a really good work ethic. It’s not about money but more about him wanting to put back into junior footy.”
Fifita has also been sin-binned on several occasions this year in A-Grade.
The 36-year-old made 251 first grade appearances for the Wests Tigers and the Sharks before retiring in 2022.
He has previously been involved in a racial dispute in the Central Coast junior rugby league last year.
In 2015 he and his brother David were banned for 12 months from Penrith juniors for saying to a referee “you’re a f****** disgrace mate” after a game.
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