Cronulla will be under pressure to sack local hero Andrew Fifita as coach of their Tarsha Gale women’s junior representative side if he is found guilty of swearing at a match official during an A Grade game in the Shire last weekend.
One of the stars of the the Sharks’ grand final victory in 2016, Fifita was sent off and charged for allegedly calling a match official a c— while playing for De La Salle against rivals Gymea on Saturday afternoon.
The 36-year-old former Test prop faces a five-match suspension if found guilty, but his position as coach of a team of promising young women would also be put in jeopardy.
READ MORE: ‘Didn’t work out’: Why the Roosters recalled young gun
READ MORE: Wallaby swings back at ‘ridiculous’ sledge as crunch call looms
READ MORE: ‘Every game matters’: Eddie’s ‘exotic’ AFL fixture shake-up
“It’s an awkward situation because of his profile and the coaching position,” a source close to the club told Wide World of Sports.
“But no decision will be made until he fronts the judiciary.”
Andrew Fifita Instagram
NSW Rugby League confirmed that Fifita had been dismissed for foul language.
“De La Salle player Andrew Fifita has been charged with grade two offensive language directed at a match official against Gymea Gorillas at Captain Cook Oval on Saturday 19 July,” a spokesperson said in a statement.
Watch the 2025 NRL premiership live and free on Nine and 9Now.
“He has pleaded not guilty and will face a judiciary hearing tomorrow night.
“The NSWRL will make no further comment until the judicial matter is complete.”
As well as being coach of the Tarsha Gale team, Fifita is employed by the Sharks in a culture and welfare role, further complicating the situation.