Cronulla Sharks, Andrew Fifita slammed for handling situation poorly

THE Cronulla Sharks have been slammed for their “embarrassing” conduct in the wake of the Andrew Fifita controversy.

Andrew Fifita at training for the Sharks.

ANDREW Fifita doesn’t have many fans at the moment.

The Sharks’ forward has faced another spray from commentators after Triple M’s James Hooper slammed him for disrespectful conduct.

“I just think it’s very distasteful and it makes me feel crook in the guts,” Hooper said on Saturday afternoon.

“I think the way Cronulla has handled it is a joke,” Hooper said.

“I think they lack leadership — in terms of what they actually stand for as a club, I think they’ve handled it poorly — it’s embarrassing.”

“Disappointed is not a strong enough word.”

Fifita could still face sanction from the NRL despite denying the letters FKL referred to old friend Kieran Loveridge being freed from prison.

Loveridge — who Fifita has known since childhood — is serving a 10-year jail sentence for killing Kelly with a single punch during a night out in Sydney’s Kings Cross in 2012.

@matthewsnelson7 @7NewsSydney @andrewfifita so say what it is ? @Cronulla_Sharks need to tell him to pull his head in and not wear it

— Bernie Coen (@berniecoen) September 2, 2016

Can hardly be believed—@andrewfifita has been brazenly supporting his mate who coward-punched & killed Thomas Kelly https://t.co/YU1BuBT8Uj

— Auskar Surbakti (@AuskarSurbakti) September 2, 2016

“I think the way that Cronulla has dealt with it is a joke, the club lacks leadership” - Hoops on the Fifita saga #TripleMNRL

— Triple M NRL (@TripleM_NRL) September 3, 2016

Fifita will be hauled in front of the NRL integrity unit next week to explain the initials, which were displayed on his strapping in at least seven games this year.

“I fully understand and accept the seriousness of the crime committed by Loveridge, the devastating impact it has had on the Kelly family and the need for Loveridge to serve his time,” Fifita was quoted as saying on Friday afternoon on the Sharks’ website. “I want to extend my sincere apologies to the Kelly family for any distress caused to them by having this tragic matter back in the media.” The revelations come after Fifita was warned by NSW detectives on Wednesday for consorting with criminals after making several visits to Loveridge in Cessnock jail.

“Both the club and Andrew are totally aligned with the police and the NRL in wishing to protect the game from criminal infiltration and Andrew is fully aware of the need for him to accept the directions given to him,” the Sharks said.

“In relation to assertions that letters worn by Andrew on his armband earlier in the season in any way refer to Loveridge being freed, the player vehemently denies them.” NRL boss Todd Greenberg said the governing body would further investigate what the initials stood for.

“Clearly it is inappropriate to use any club clothing or accessories to support someone with a criminal conviction,” he said.

Andrew Fifita is set to star for the Sharks in Saturday night’s fight for the minor premiership against the Storm.

“Players are generally free to support any person or cause they like. But in circumstances such as these, they cannot use our game as a platform to do that.”

Sharks coach Shane Flanagan said it was hard to monitor what players wrote on their strapping tape and that he was upset with how the drama had affected preparations for their minor-premiership showdown with Melbourne.

Fifita played in the Sharks’ 26-6 loss to the Storm on Saturday night.

“Players usually get crosses for their religious beliefs or halves have got their special plays that they want to have on there,” Flanagan said.

“I know (Sharks captain Paul Gallen) had a sick kid who actually passed away recently written on his arm. We see the (Newcastle halfback Trent) Hodkinson writing some kids’ names on kicking tees.”

— with AAP