Andrew Fifita ‘hung out to dry’ by police and NRL, says Sharks coach Shane Flanagan
PREMIERSHIP-winning Cronulla coach Shane Flanagan has hit out at the NRL for “hanging Andrew Fifita out to dry,” declaring support from the Sharks would keep the hulking prop from walking away from the game.
The NRL integrity unit continues to investigate Fifita since The Daily Telegraph revealed his support for one-punch killer Kieran Loveridge six weeks ago.
The governing body, which last week banned Fifita from Australia’s Four Nations tour, said it was still waiting on additional information from police on the matter.
But an irate Flanagan said the uncertainty that lingered over Fifita was unfair and had affected his mental health.
“They have hung him out to dry for a long period of time,” Flanagan said. “The police had information, where is it, mate? Where is it?
“What has he done wrong? Can they just come out and tell me so we can deal with it. The police have spoken to Andrew about his association with Loveridge — the police aren’t doing anything about it. What’s the NRL doing? Why are they causing all this trouble for him?
“If they’ve got something then come out and tell us what they’ve got.
“If not, come out and say we’re satisfied with Andrew’s explanation and we wish him well. Away you go, son. Sorry. They won’t say that word sorry.”
Pressed on whether the NRL should apologise, Flanagan said he simply wanted an end to the saga.
“I want to find out what Andrew has done wrong, what he is accused of,” Flanagan said.
“No-one has ever told us, bar supporting a bloke and he has apologised for that. I don’t know what else he has done.
“He has all this stuff hanging over his head. They started this investigation seven weeks ago and have still done nothing.”
An NRL spokesman declined to comment on an ongoing integrity unit investigation.
Fifita broke down on stage at Cronulla’s presentation night as the pressure and scrutiny finally boiled over.
“It’s awful mate, he is like everyone else, he has a wife, children, family, Mum and Dad,” Flanagan said. “It takes its toll. You just see this big, strong front-rower and we think he’s invincible, we’ll he’s not.
Asked whether he supported Fifita’s controversial decision to support Loveridge on his playing wrist bandage, Flanagan said: “I don’t need my views to be made public. I will support Andrew for who he is.
“He has apologised for it. It was a private support for a person he has known for years but he doesn’t support what happened or what (Loveridge) did. No one knew anything about it. Unless the police came forward, I don’t think anyone would have known what it meant. We all support Andrew.”
The message that sparked the controversy.
Fifita’s Four Nations ban prompted the prop to ask his management team to look for opportunities in rival sports. Flanagan, though, stressed Fifita would fulfil the remaining two years of his contract.
“He’ll be staying, mate. The players will rally around him. His gripe is with the NRL, not us. He hasn’t got a problem with us,” the coach said.
“Andrew needs a break, to go away with his family and we will see him when he gets back to training.”
Fifita told Sky News program, Jones & Co, on Tuesday: “I feel like I’m on my last chance with the NRL — they all know that, I know that — I’m thinking the worst at the moment. I’ve got one more mess up and I’m out. My contract is ripped up. So I’ve already approached my management team, already had talks with the CEO about going elsewhere. Different codes.”