Latest news with #AndrewFifita
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
NRL grand final hero faces long ban for alleged heated incident with a referee during a footy match
An NRL Grand Final hero has landed in hot water after he allegedly swore at a referee during a footy match. Andrew Fifita was playing for De La Salle during a clash against the Gymea Gorillas last weekend when the incident took place. Fifita made 213 appearances for Cronulla Sharks and was a part of the team that won their maiden premiership title in 2016, notably scoring a try that led to the game-winning conversion. According to The Daily Telegraph, the 36-year-old is alleged to have called a referee a '****' during the first half of the match. He is now facing a five-match suspension over the matter, having been slapped with a Grade Two offensive language charge. 'He has pleaded not guilty and will face a judiciary hearing tomorrow night,' an NSWRL spokesperson said. Fifita, pictured with his wife Nikitia, denied that he had directed the comment toward the referee 'The NSWRL will make no further comment until the judicial matter is complete.' It also now means that Cronulla will be under the spotlight to sack the former footy star, should he be found guilty, who is the coach of their Tarsha Gale women's junior representative side. The prop forward is also employed by the Sharks as part of its culture and welfare team. 'It's an awkward situation because of his profile and the coaching position,' sources close to the club said to Nine's Wide World of Sports. Cronulla executive Dino Mezzatesta revealed that he has spoken with Fifita about the incident, with the forward insisting that he had not made the alleged comment towards the referee. 'Andrew was sent off for swearing, but he has advised the club he didn't direct it at the referee it was directed at an opposing player, who has also confirmed that the comment was directed at him,' Mezzatesta said. 'He has also acknowledged that the language was inappropriate all the same. 'Andrew is waiting for a date from NSWRL for his hearing, where he will be contesting the charge. 'The Cronulla Sharks will wait for this process to be completed.' It's not the first time that the footy player has found himself in front of a rugby league tribunal after he and his brother, David, were once stood down from playing junior rugby league games in Penrith for 12 months. Fifita had been accused of physically threatening a referee, following a match between Penrith Juniors and St Patricks in 2015. His brother, David, was also accused of swearing at the referee, telling the official 'you're a f***ing disgrace mate.'
News.com.au
7 days ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
Former Sharks star Andrew Fifita facing season-ending suspension for alleged vile ref spray
Former Sharks star Andrew Fifita is facing a season-ending suspension after being sent off for swearing at a referee during an A-grade park football game. The Daily Telegraph reported Fifita has been charged for calling a referee a 'c …' while playing for De La Salle in the first half of a game against the Gymea Gorillas. FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every game of every round in the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership, LIVE with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer > Fifita is facing a five-week suspension, which if found guilty at the judiciary would rub him out for the season as there are only three rounds left before the A-grade finals. Fifita is reportedly denying the allegation and maintains his comment was directed at an opposition player rather than the referee. It is an awkward situation for the Cronulla Sharks, who employ Fifita in their culture and welfare department. He is also the coach of the club's Tarsha Gale women's junior representative side. It is not the first time Fifita has been in hot water this season after multiple sin bins. The 36-year-old was also involved in a racial dispute in The Central Coast junior rugby league last year. And in 2015 he and his brother David were banned for 12 months from Penrith juniors for saying to a referee 'you're a f****** disgrace mate' after a game. Fifita played 251 NRL games for the Wests Tigers and the Sharks before retiring in 2022. De La Salle club president and Sharks board member Dave Nicholson spoke to The Daily Telegraph earlier this year about Fifita playing in park football. 'He'll be good around the younger boys,' Nicholson said. 'He brings a really good work ethic. It's not about money but more about him wanting to put back into junior footy.'
RNZ News
21-07-2025
- Sport
- RNZ News
Rugby league: Siosiua Taukeiaho puts hand up for Tonga
Taukeiaho told that he will be ready to join Tonga for the upcoming Pacific Championships against Samoa and New Zealand if needed. Photo: PHOTOSPORT Former Mate Ma'a Tonga player Siosiua Taukeiaho has revealed he wants to have another shot with the Tongan national rugby league team. Taukeiaho told that he will be ready to join Tonga for the upcoming Pacific Championships against Samoa and New Zealand if needed. Taukeiaho, who is playing a key role in Manly's charge for a finals berth, was one of the pioneers who helped Tonga become an international force at the 2017 World Cup, along with Jason Taumalolo and Andrew Fifita, reported. When Tonga defeated Australia 16-12 in 2019, it was Taukeiaho who led the Pacific nation in the Sipi Tau ahead of one of the biggest upsets in rugby league history. But he last played for Tonga at the World Cup in 2022. A Lisfranc injury that restricted him to just 10 appearances for Catalans, including the 2023 Super League grand final, also cost Taukeiaho a deal with the Bulldogs and he thought his NRL career was over. With Manly offering him a lifeline, the tough enforcer is undergoing a career revival as the Sea Eagles push for a place in the finals following three consecutive wins. The 33-year-old topped the run metres (193m) for the Sea Eagles in their 18-16 upset defeat of the Storm - Manly's first win in Melbourne since 2019. reported despite missing the historic 2023 tour to England and last year's Pacific Championships, in which Tonga were narrowly beaten 20-14 by the Kangaroos in the final, Taukeiaho said he remained available for international duty. "I always love being a part of the Tonga team," Taukeiaho told "If Kristian Woolf gives me the call, I would never say no to putting on that red and white jersey again. "At the moment, I'm just focused on Manly. It's about trying to build the performance for my club and international selection will take care of itself but I would never say no to a call-up." Manly take on the second-place Bulldogs at Accor Stadium on Sunday and will be filled to the brim with confidence after their win against the Storm. "Of course, they're tough team," Taukeiaho said. "All we've got to focus on is us. We'll go back to the drawing board and see what we need to work on." Meanwhile, Tonga Rugby League is trying to secure a home game in Nuku'alofa during the Pacific Cup Championship.
Perth Now
09-05-2025
- Sport
- Perth Now
Dragons aim for consistency to end NRL losing streak
Coach Shane Flanagan feels time is running out for his St George Illawarra team to consistently deliver on their potential if they want to play finals. The Dragons are looking to end a two-game losing streak when they host the Warriors at WIN Stadium on Saturday night, looking to bounce back after their six-point Magic Round loss to Wests Tigers. In contrast, the Warriors have charged into third place after adding the scalp of North Queensland to their collection in Brisbane. The Red V are only two points outside the eight and have upset some highly-rated rivals, but Flanagan says they have their "backs to the wall" and can't afford to continue their inconsistent form if they want to reach the finals. "We need to get it right," Flanagan said. "We've got a football team here, we've shown that we can go with the big guns - Manly, Melbourne and so on - so consistency is an important part of it. "But we need to start winning, without a doubt, so we've got an opportunity tomorrow. "The Tigers (game) was disappointing. It was another game that got away from us and we can't keep having that story as our season rolls on, so we've got to change it." Flanagan has made one change to the side which fell to the Tigers, giving an NRL debut to Loko Pasifiki Tonga. The 19-year-old has earnt a bench spot in place of Emre Guler, who has been ruled out with a shoulder injury. Flanagan said the youngster showed huge promise, likening him to young Cronulla great Andrew Fifita. "It's always exciting to give someone their debut jersey because you just don't know how far and how successful their career is going to be, and you know I'm pretty sure Loko's going to have a big one," Flanagan said. "A young front rower coming into the game reminds me, not quite sure who he reminds me of, but, he's probably got a little bit of everything. "He got a bit of Andrew Fifita in him, he's got a good motor, so I'm really excited for him." For the Warriors, star winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak will play his first game of the season after suffering a serious wrist injury in a pre-season match.
