Cronulla star Andrew Fifita has apologised to the family of fatal one-punch victim Thomas Kelly after wearing strapping emblazoned with the initials of his killer in a series of NRL games.
The Sharks’ prop could still face sanction from the NRL despite denying the letters FKL referred to old friend Kieran Loveridge being freed from prison.
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.
“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.
He confirmed Fifita would be a certain starter against the Storm.
A win for the Sharks would give them the JJ Giltinan shield and $100,000 in prizemoney, while a loss could set them back as far as third and a possible week-one final against Canberra in the nation’s capital.
“I’m terribly disappointed in the whole situation but my job as coach is I’ve got to get this team ready to play a game on Saturday night,” he said.
“Players usually get crosses for their religious beliefs or halves have got their special plays that they want to have on there.
“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.”
Loveridge was responsible for the high-profile manslaughter of 18-year-old Thomas in 2012 during a night out in Kings Cross and is serving a minimum 10-year sentence.
Reports in The Daily Telegraph suggested Fifita could have once coached Loveridge and that FKL possibly stood for “For Kieran Loveridge”.
Norad
Guest
Writing three letters meant nothing until the media highlighted and explained it. Same as Mitch where it was the media that broadcast the video over and over. The real sin is from the media who replay and highlight this stuff. No one would have been hurt at all if the media had reported on rugby league issues and not manufacatured outrage.
Rob
Guest
Writing his support for the germ on his arm and you promote it on the field is disrespectful and morally wrong. Fafita is clueless. His garbage in Origin 3 highlight what not to do on the football field yet he got a slap on the wrist while Inglis received 3 weeks for a split second collision in play when Dugan appeared to step back into him.
Jacko
Guest
The NRL associates with gambling as a sponsor and we have gambling mentioned before during and after every game. Gambling has caused far more deaths, suicides, domestic violence, mental breakdowns and family breakups than all 1 punch attacks ever have and if the NRL can associate with these people on a daily basis then all players should tell the NRL to look after their own backyard before trying to dictate to others what they can or cant do and who they can or cant associate with. NRL should set standards themselves rather than pick and choose which harmful souls others can hang around
James P
Guest
Extremely poor taste, absolutely, does Andrew have form for piss poor decisions, you better believe, but get off your outrage soapboxes, he's an idiot that did something out of love for his friend, dumb yes, but no more dumb than someone acting out of grief. Does he deserve a fine, very possibly, stood down or worse - forget about it. What about James Roberts public fiasco a fortnight ago, spitting on a female employee, fighting with bouncers and being banned from the whole of Fortitude Valley for a month, did Wayne stand him down, no...and people say the Sharks are weak with no moral compass for a few letters on straps that were in bad taste!!
John
Roar Rookie
There is nothing wrong with privately visiting friends or family in jail and offering support. However when you are in a high profile position in public life or a high profile sport covered by the media, you do not advertise your support for a killer (or rapist, paedophile, etc) on your armband or clothing because you very well know that your club, team mates, supporters, sponsors, families, etc will be offended. If someone has to explain this to a grown man like Fifita then it is too late - game over. Kick Fifita out of the NRL and set an example for the others who may be doing the same thing.
Dan Fan
Guest
And also you would have to ask: what if it had been a family member? would he have not been able to support them?
Ian Johnson
Guest
He certainly went too far with the arm strapping - no doubt. BUT can not he have a friend, even if that friend is a killer, and offer him some support? Apparently they have been friends since childhood, and he knows the fellow much better than all the armchair critics who want to crucify him.True friends stick through thick and thin. Would there bi as big an outcry if he had been found to be a drug user?
P2R2
Roar Rookie
The guy is a muppet par excellence....typical dumb RL player....what a sad indictment on the NRL, his Club, his Family and the distress caused to the victim's family....sack him
sam
Guest
This is why I no longer follow league-its been taken over by meatheads. the players of the past were genuine characters and larrikins unlike todays players
WQ
Guest
Just wonder what he would have said had there not been an employer standing over him threatening to financially penalise him? My guess is nothing and he would have continued to wear the strapping!!
chasbie
Guest
A grub and NRL should kick him out for life but no they are to soft and scared always supported the sharks but no more hope they don't win another game he should be jailed himself get rid of him
chasbie
Guest
A grub and NRL should kick him out for life but no they are to soft and scared always supported the sharks but no more hope they don't win another game he should be jailed himself what a grub and apologising is a cutlees act get rid of him
John
Roar Rookie
The NRL needs to come down hard on this sort of rubbish and kick Fifita out of the game. He should be suspended immediately.