Fifita referee scandal: Sharks CEO slams Fifitas, says they’ve let rugby league down

THE Fifita brothers have not been stood down by Cronulla but Sharks CEO Lyall Gorman has slammed their behaviour, saying they’ve let rugby league down.

NRL Rd 1 - Sharks v Raiders

CRONULLA Sharks boss Lyall Gorman has accused twins David and Andrew Fifita of letting down their teammates, the club and the game over their explosive confrontation with a junior rugby league referee in Penrith on Saturday.

The NRL integrity unit has informed the club that if either player has admitted to directing foul language towards the referee they should be stood down from the Sharks match against the Bulldogs.

Andrew Fifita has been named to play, but David Fifita was ruled out during the captain’s run.

Gorman held a press conference at Belmore Sports Ground this afternoon before the Sharks match against the Bulldogs to express his concern over the incident.

The Fifita brothers are both set to play in the game.

SPRAY: Fifita allegedly threatens referee

SBW: How Sonny Bill walked out on his mates

PODCAST: PHIL ROTHFIELD AND DEAN RITCHIE ON THE FIFITA SCANDAL

“The allegations are a great concern,” Gorman said.

“There is no doubt our players have acted very inappropriately in letting themselves down, their teammates down, letting our club down and more importantly the whole game of rugby league.

“There no doubt that some foul language was directed towards the match official.

“I’ve been emailed a copy of the referees report this morning.

“If the allegations are proven to be correct, we have a zero tolerance to any behaviour that attacks the role of referees at any level of the game.

The Fifitas were not stood down by the Sharks

“That sort of behaviour is abhorrent. It is so far against our club culture and brand we’ve been working so hard on over the last nine months.

“It is very disturbing if these allegations are proven to be true and we’d be reviewing with the NRL what the appropriate sanctions might involve.

“I don’t want to jump to conclusions until we have all the facts. There are areas of grey in the assumptions but this is a very serious matter.

“There is a process that has to be followed in fairness to everyone involved.”

NRL CEO Dave Smith echoed the words of Gorman, saying that such actions would not be tolerated.

“Match officials give up their time because they love the game and the last thing they should be subjected to is abuse or intimidation,” Smith said.

“It is even more intolerable if someone with the stature of an NRL player is involved - we want the full facts to be presented in this matter.”

“The NRL will never prejudge anyone accused of breaches – everyone is entitled to the presumption of innocence,”

“But if we become aware of any NRL players abusing match officials there will be very significant consequences.”