Andrew Fifita slapped with breach notice over support of one-punch killer
Andrew Fifita has been issued with a breach notice relating to his on-field support for Kieran Loveridge. Photo: Getty
Cronulla’s Andrew Fifita has been hit with a breach notice by the NRL over his support for convicted killer Kieran Loveridge.
After meeting with the integrity unit, Fifita has been given five days to respond.
The NRL said it had concluded its investigations into the Sharks’ grand final hero who scrawled “FKL” on his wrist strapping.
On seven occasions Fifita was photographed playing with the message on his wrist during the Sharks’ premiership drought-breaking campaign.
It has been variously claimed that “FKL” stood for “Free Kieran Loveridge”, “For Kieran Loveridge” or “Forgive Kieran Loveridge”.
The 27-year-old has been the subject of a lengthy integrity unit investigation over his relationship with Loveridge, a childhood friend from western Sydney.
He was earlier this year given a warning by police about consorting with known criminals.
Loveridge was sentenced to 10 years’ jail for the unprovoked, drunken one-punch killing of Thomas Kelly in Kings Cross in 2012.
The NRL would not comment on possible sanctions until Fifita has been given his say.
It came after the NRL last week received documents from NSW Police regarding Fifita and Loveridge.
Loveridge had refused to speak to the NRL about the matter.
Fifita was snubbed for a Australian Kangaroos jumper on the end-of-season Four Nations tour and he was also overlooked for the Clive Churchill Medal, despite a barnstorming display in the grand final that included the winning try.
NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg said Fifita had been denied national selection because he’d failed to live up to standards set by the side.
Andrew Fifita (bottom) shows off his armguard with the initials FKL. Photo: Getty
It led to Fifita threatening to walk out on the code to join rugby union.
Fifita had said the NRL was trying to “make a fool” of him and he was investigating overseas playing opportunities.
The NSW State of Origin prop has a chequered history in the code and was last year suspended for six games and fined $30,000 for abusing a referee at a junior game.
In 2014 he was questioned by police over an alleged road rage incident after he was accused of abusing a motorist and kicking his car however no action was taken.
-AAP