Controversial Cronulla forward Andrew Fifita looks set to spend the Christmas period mulling over whether to appeal a $20,000 NRL fine.
The Sharks enforcer was slapped with the penalty for his on-field support for convicted one-punch killer Kieran Loveridge.
The NRL also warned Fifita that any further rule breach “is likely result in his registration being cancelled”.
Fifita has until January 20 to decide whether to take his case to an independent appeals tribunal.
Fifita was photographed on seven occasions playing with the message “FKL” on his wrist this season, it was believed to stand for “Free Kieran Loveridge”, “For Kieran Loveridge” or “Forgive Kieran Loveridge”.
Fifita was issued with a breach notice last week by the NRL.
“It has been decided to impose a fine of $20,000,” an NRL spokesman said on Thursday.
“Our competition cannot be used as a platform to promote inappropriate causes such as this.”
Fifita was the subject of a lengthy NRL integrity unit investigation over his relationship with Loveridge, a childhood friend from western Sydney.
Loveridge was sentenced to 10 years’ jail for the unprovoked, drunken one-punch killing of Thomas Kelly in Kings Cross, in 2012.
As a result, Fifita was snubbed for the Clive Churchill Medal despite inspiring Cronulla’s historic NRL premiership triumph.
And he was not considered for the end of year Four Nations after NRL CEO Todd Greenberg said Fifita had” failed to live up to standards set by the (Kangaroos) side”.
The NSW Origin prop threatened to walk out on the code and join rugby union after the Four Nations snub.
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
Because he's a wow who has done his dash. Not because he's a sharks Player. I'd say the Sharks handing over their little file of misdemeanours didn't help his cause to be registered with another club, not that anyone would want him.
Dean - Surry Hills
Guest
2nd 3rd and 4th chances are OK when the commodity that turns Jeckyl into Hyde is generating huge dollars for The NRL. The NRL and it's media chums are two-faced hypocritical white collars that lie and cheat to generate income at the expense of player privacy. I can't believe that you and William buy into their deceit. Here's a clip from my personal favorite to bring the pair of you back to reality. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPrRxhYJMkQ
eagleJack
Roar Guru
Yeah I don't think Carney is a great example to use Dean. For starters when he was at the Roosters Phil Rothfield made it his mission to ensure he was removed from the game. Every minor incident was reported on until such time as the Roosters sacked him (and justifiably so). No chequebook was reached for. He then went to the Sharks and the stories dried up. Despite the fact he was constantly seen being a menace in public seemingly blind drunk every weekend. The first indiscretion we heard about was the "bubbler" incident. Yet according to the Sharks this was his third offence at the club. The others kept in-house. One of the benefits of having Rothfield as your number one fan. He is suing the Sharks for unfair dismissal. His issue is with them. The NRL are simply looking at a guy who has been sacked by 3 clubs. With a list of indiscretions as long as your arm. The NRL were happy to give him a 3rd chance at the Sharks. He would have known that. Hence why he is desperate to clear his name in court. Second chances, third chances are fine with the NRL. A fourth is a little harder to come by and fair enough if you ask me. If Fifita had simulated sex with a dog he'd still be playing in the NRL. Just as he is still playing in the NRL after abusing a junior referee and this latest FKL incident. Let's please keep a grip on reality.
Dean - Surry Hills
Guest
The NRL made it clear to several clubs that it is highly unlikely that they will register him. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/nrl/its-all-over-nrl-bans-todd-carney-for-life/news-story/a9ecc5b2b22898b8b03085dd956bac0c http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/teams/sharks/todd-carneys-nrl-return-on-the-line-as-lawsuit-with-cronulla-nears-verdict/news-story/038de66ee96651d7a3c070bfe9bf619a
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
A private message written on his wrist with audiences of 100s of thousands plus potential views on the hundreds of thousands watching news highlights. What an idiotic thought to think no one would want to know why FKL was written on his wrist. Pearce was punished with missing 8 matches and a small fine. Fifita has been punished with what to him is a small fine. The only bias in the NRL I see is protecting established players more than the younger ones coming through. Another thing. Carney was not deregistered by the NRL. The Sharks tore up his contract (illegally).
Dean - Surry Hills
Guest
Sure Will. Fafita's act was not public. No one had the faintest . The press went to work and turned a private message into a public one. Had Fifita been playing for The Roosters then the mighty cheque book would have made an appearance and the matter would have been smoothed over in no time at all. Had Fifita been simulating sex with a dog there would have been no second chances. If Pearce was caught doing the bubbler, you could bet your last dollar that he'd currently be playing in The NRL. Your are blind if you can't see the obvious bias with The NRL. Like most matters in our current society it boils down to who has the most cash.
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
Not acceptable to forgive? So a system that doesn't allow former criminals to play again? That doesn't allow a player who publically abused a juniors official? That doesn't give players second chance after second chance. The NRL have every right to decide what players in their competition can and can't publically support during games.
Parra
Guest
He deserves to be reprimanded, reproached, chastised, punished for bringing the game into disrepute. It's a shame the game has stepped into the role of parent to teach these young fools (recalcitrants, ignorant, uneducated, indisciplined) what their parents failed to to; how to behave appropriately, show respect for others, choose your friends wisely etc. it's black and white. The nrl response has in my mind is measured to ensure ensure compliance to society's acceptable standards of behaviour.
Dean - Surry Hills
Guest
No. He's taking on a system that attempts to dictate and control the lives of others. One that practices intolerance and a belief that it is not acceptable to forgive.
Floyd Calhoun
Guest
Fifita is "mulling over"?! Mulling over what? His right to openly support a convicted killer? Jesus, this is tragic.
Chook
Guest
Take the bastards on AF. How many times do you have to be punished for the same event.