UPDATE: Andrew Fifita has been issued an official warning over his foul-mouthed spray at veteran rugby league journalist Phil Rothfield.

The Daily Telegraph reports Fifita was called to a meeting this morning with Cronulla Sharks CEO Barry Russell over his comments about Rothfield in which he labelled him a “complete f***wit”.

The inflammatory comments were made as Fifita appeared alongside teammate Josh Dugan on the sport podcast The Halfcast with UFC fighters Tyson Pedro and Tai Tuivasa.

According to the Telegraph the Fifita was handed a letter which warned him and similar future indiscretions could see him break the code of conduct in his contract.

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Fifita found himself in hot water after the podcast was aired on Wednesday night,

“I just don’t know how they (football journalists) are all on TV, and they can talk on football,” Fifita said after the conversation directed toward a discussion on the media. “Excuse my French, but (Rothfield) is a complete f***wit.”

Dugan chimed in, swiping at Rothfield over an article written earlier in the year about him and teammate Paul Gallen wrestling in the Sharks camp.

“It started when Gallen was joking that Dugan had never won a premiership. So the former St George Illawarra and Canberra Raiders star challenged him to a wrestle.,” the veteran league writer wrote in January.

“Old Buzz Rothfield got on it and tried to make out Gal and I were full-on serious (saying) we were trying to punch up in the middle of the park,” Dugan said. “He’s old, weathered (and) baldheaded.”

Rothfield has previously exposed Dugan and Fifita in the press, detailing an ugly incident which got the pair booted from Cronulla RSL in February.

The famous Sharks supporter caught wind of the podcast on Wednesday night and took to Twitter to slam the club’s “ratbags”.

Think it shows mate I treat Cronulla players the same as other clubs - if you want to get thrown out of RSLs, go on a bender in Origin camp, abuse juniors refs or support a 1-punch killer, then expect to be exposed https://t.co/Uq4Dic3gzp — BUZZ ROTHFIELD (@BuzzRothfield) August 22, 2018

Not concerned in the slightest - more concerned for the club’s image with ratbags like that pair https://t.co/pJIVxoMzFd — BUZZ ROTHFIELD (@BuzzRothfield) August 22, 2018

Have never protected either of them - they hate because I have always exposed their poor behaviour. https://t.co/BTabgxW4z0 — BUZZ ROTHFIELD (@BuzzRothfield) August 22, 2018

So Andrew Fifita and Josh Dugan have called @BuzzRothfield a f##k wit on a pod cast. Glass houses you muppets. At least buzz has some credibility not like you flog bags. — Greg Waugh (@WaughGreg) August 22, 2018

Watch the full podcast below. (Language warning)

The controversy came just days after Fifita apologised for blowing during the Sharks’ win over North Queensland over the weekend.

Fifita is believed to have fronted the Sharks’ coaching staff after gesticulating towards assistant coach Jim Dymock following a crucial try in Saturday’s win over North Queensland.

Gallen believes the ends justified the means.

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“To be fair, if that’s the result, if what Jimmy says to him provokes that sort of performance, I’m happy to sit back andlet Jimmy do it,” Gallen said on Channel 9’s 100% Footy show.

“Because Andrew Fifita in his first stint on the weekend was not the Andrew Fifita we need him to be. He wasn’t laying the lines we need him to, he wasn’t running as hard as he needs to be.”

Andrew Fifita is swimming in controversy this week. Source: Getty Images

Gallen said Fifita was a different player after Dymock’s spray.

“He came back on and ran over the top of four blokes, got the next kick-off, ran over the top of another four blokes, and absolutely killed it and did exactly what we need him to be,” he said. “So if it’s going to provoke him to do that, I’ve got no problem with it.”

Fifita had “probably” stepped over the line with his reaction, but said the playing group had grown accustomed to his outbursts, Gallen added.

“We know there comes a bit of baggage with Andrew. We know he’s not going to be a Rhodes scholar and do everything,” he said.

“Andrew was in there (on Monday) and apologised to the club. He know he did the wrong thing and hopefully it won’t happenagain in the future.”

Gallen also confirmed Fifita, a former NSW State of Origin representative, had been battling a knee issue in recent weeks and would benefit from a rest. However, with the finals just two weeks away and the Sharks in the chase for a top-four spot, it would be unlikely to happen.

“He’s struggling with a knee (injury) at the moment. He is, if possible, looking for a week off. But his knee’s not that badto rest him,” he said.

— with AAP