Grand final hero Andrew Fifita has been fined $20,000 by the NRL for his continued on-field support of convicted killer Kieran Loveridge.
With a warning that any further breaches of the NRL's code of conduct could result in his contract being deregistered, the Cronulla prop was issued with a breach notice last week before the fine was handed down on Thursday.
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Sharks coach confirms Fifita investigation
Shane Flanagan has confirmed prop Andrew Fifita is being investigated over allegations he's been consorting with a convicted criminal.
"It has been decided to impose a fine of $20,000," a spokesman for the governing body said.
"Our competition cannot be used as a platform to promote inappropriate causes such as this."
Fifita, 27, has been a controversial figure in the NRL throughout his career - and played several games with the letters 'FKL' (believed to stand for For Kieran Loveridge) written on the strapping tape on his arm.
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Loveridge, who is currently serving a 10 year sentence for the one-punch attack that killed Thomas Kelly in 2012, was being coached by Fifita at the time of the incident, and was reportedly considered 'family' by the front-rower.
When asked about his support for Loveridge in September, Fifita replied: "I do not excuse what he has done - but I can't turn my back on a mate."
After having his behaviour publicly questioned by several of sport's heavyweights - including ARLC chairman John Grant and Australian captain Cameron Smith - in the past few months, the hulking forward was last week named in Laurie Daley's 20-man Indigenous All Stars squad.
"The selection criteria was he was available so the fans have picked him so he's been included," Daley said last week.
"I've coached him before and certainly had no issues with him. He's always proud and he loves playing in this game."
Interestingly, Australian coach Mal Meninga will be coaching the rival World All Stars, after leaving Fifita out of the touring Kangaroos squad for the Four Nations despite his stellar end to the 2016 season.