Fifita under fire for public support of killer
AAP on September 2, 2016, 10:50 am
ta is expected to be questioned by the NRL integrity committee over the incidents. He has been spotted displaying the initials FKL on his wristband in at least seven matches this year, according to images highlighted by News Corp Australia.
The revelations come after the Sharks prop was warned by NSW Police on Wednesday for consorting with criminals after he made several visits to Loveridge in Cessnock jail. Loveridge was responsible for the high-profile manslaughter of 18-year-old Thomas Kelly in 2012 during a night out in Kings Cross, and is serving a minimum 10-year sentence.
Reformed rugby league bad boy Mark Geyer hit out at Fifita on Friday, accusing him of sticking his support of Loveridge in the Kelly family's face. It's not good," Geyer told Triple M's Grill Team. "I had a couple of mates who went to jail, I went and visited them. I didn't stick it in the family's faces. "Every week going FKL - c'mon man. A young bloke has passed away."
Former Cronulla and Newcastle player Matt Johns also questioned Fifita's actions in wearing the initials in matches in the early half of the season. "He's not done anything wrong, he's just supporting a mate," Johns said. "But it's just in bad taste. "The nature of the crime and the hurt that that family has gone through and even again recently, I think someone has to bump Andrew and just say he is your mate, we understand you want to support him, but c'mon."
Even Australia's politicians have weighed in on the debate with Leader of the Opposition Bill Shorten saying Fifita had made a 'grave error in judgement,' and urged the NRL to counsel the Cronulla star.
It has been suggested Fifita could have once coached Kelly's killer, and that FKL stands for either "For Kieran Loveridge" or "Free Kieran Loveridge". "If that is the case, it's inappropriate to use any football clothing or accessories to promote an association with criminal activity," an NRL spokesman said.
Fifita is believed to have attracted the interest of police for the warning after his name came up while they looked into the Lone Wolf bikie gang, which Loveridge is alleged to have links to.
Cronulla chief executive Lyall Gorman has refused to comment on the matter until he investigates further.
On Thursday, before the alleged links with Loveridge were revealed, Cronulla coach Shane Flanagan said he had spoken to Fifita about the matter. "Andrew hasn't been charged with anything, he's been warned for associating with these people, and he told me, `you didn't grow up in the western suburbs'.
"A lot of his mates are in jail. That's the way it is. He won't desert them understands he can't contact them."
Fifita attracted attention last year after he posted images on social media of former Wests Tigers prop Matt Lodge after he was arrested in in New York after he allegedly told two women: "This is the night you die".
Fifita was also suspended for six matches and fined $30,000 last year over his abuse of a referee at a junior rugby league match.
