Cronulla forwards Andrew and David Fifita have been stood down by the NRL club pending the conclusion of an investigation of alleged abuse of rugby league match officials.
The Sharks released a statement on Monday afternoon saying the brothers intended to “defend the more serious charges levelled against them”.
Earlier on Monday the pair were banned from Penrith junior rugby league matches for 12 months over the incident.
Wests Tigers prop Matthew Lodge has also been banned, for the remainder of the year, by the Penrith Junior Rugby League over the same incident at Glenwood on Saturday.
The Fifita brothers could face a significant ban from the NRL over the incident. Lodge could also be hit with further sanctions.
Former Kangaroo Andrew Fifita is alleged to have said “I’ll smash you” to a referee during the incident.
“The club has today received, and is reviewing and assessing, statements from a variety of people present at the match including match officials, participating club representatives, ground officials and independent witnesses,” the Sharks statement read.
“In assessing these reports it is evident that conflicting versions of events exist.”
Both Andrew and David Fifita were said to be upset that referee Tim Hannon didn’t stop a match for an injured player.
“The club reasserts that it takes the nature of the allegations against its players very seriously and is working with NRL CEO Dave Smith and the NRL Integrity Unit to ensure that due process is allowed to occur and the appropriate sanctions are put in place once all of the facts are established,” the Sharks said.
Initial reports suggested Hannon had secured video footage of the alleged incident on his mobile phone, however that is not the case.
The Fifita twins and Lodge have five days to decide if they will appeal the ban by the Penrith Junior Rugby League.
The Sydney Morning Herald reported that David Fifita was banned for 12 months over a similar incident in 2011, while according to News Corp the brothers were involved in another incident in 2013.
According to a copy of Hannon’s report of the incident, David Fifita said to the referee: “You’re a f***ing disgrace mate. I lost respect for you when you didn’t stop time when one of our players were down. You’re a f***ing disgrace”.
David Fifita then allegedly continued to abuse Hannon for 20 seconds before his brother joined in.
“(Andrew) charged towards me and attempted to snatch my mobile phone which I was holding in my right hand,” the report continued to read.
“Numerous people intervened and held Andrew Fifita back preventing him from grabbing my mobile phone. At the time these actions by Andrew Fifita made me feel very threatened and uncomfortable.”
Lodge, who played in the Tigers’ NYC loss to Sydney Roosters on Friday night, is no stranger to drama either.
He was suspended last season after writing the word c*** on his wrist strapping while playing for NSW’s Under-20s side.
up in the north
Roar Rookie
Finally caught up with stuff and the NRL IU have said the Cowbies do not have an issue in relation to any breaches to the salary cap. We will now resume normal transmission and apologize for the tawdry behaviour of the southern press in their attempts to derail the Cowbies premiership aspirations. Oh the relief.
up in the north
Roar Rookie
Okay so it's in fairfax. I'll look it up. Hope it's all bollocks.
Renegade
Roar Guru
Ban the Cowboys for 12 months i say ;)
Dogs Of War
Roar Guru
Reading that article in fairfax, it seems silly that the chairman of the club would put himself in a position to have this sort of speculation able to be directed at him. It's hard to prove that the property prices were at market rate or not, maybe there is more to it that hasn't come out yet ie a paper trail that suggests otherwise, that's usually how these things get to this stage.
American Dave
Guest
The reports in Fairfax suggest this may all be a bit of wild speculation.
planko
Roar Guru
Renegade well it makes sense that Taumololololo stays for half price..... and a cheap house
up in the north
Roar Rookie
FFS.
Jay C
Roar Guru
Yeah. I hope so too. Andy is right about the 10 out of 10 if what I'm hearing is true. Could be Storm level shenanigans.
up in the north
Roar Rookie
Whaaaaat! Please let it be wrong.
Jay C
Roar Guru
JTs mums house I'm hearing allegedly rumoured
PLANKO
Guest
I only heard it online last night...
Jay C
Roar Guru
You can't softball them in like that Renny.
Jay C
Roar Guru
I mean uncle Wayne doesn't need to worry about silly caps.
Renegade
Roar Guru
You mean the thoroughbreds won't allow it ;) It's still all rumours at this stage though and no one has quoted any figures as yet. As james said, it would be a shame if it turns out to be true and it is the team we all think it is....
Jay C
Roar Guru
It won't be the Broncos. Waynes back
Renegade
Roar Guru
:P
jamesb
Guest
Some big news may occur and it may involve a Qld club. A shame really. I did tip them before the season began.
Bulldog
Guest
Next step will be for them to go into rehab - that seems to be the common NRL play in the how to avoid scrutiny on bad behavior handbook at most clubs....
MAX
Guest
The most respected Roarer Muzz hinted with Moooooo, so put your spurs on and ride north.
Jay C
Roar Guru
Hahaha. What's that about pi$$ and sacking players Ren?