first question is does it need to be removed?
If the outlet pipe stands up say 1 cm and has a mesh covering, I would suggest it is safe to leave it.
There is a lot of practical truth in this. This type of "in the tank" thinking stretches our tolerance of the relationship between "safe" and "airworthy".
Would I fly a plane home with a pencil in the fuel tank? Yup, without a worry in the world. Would I try to get it passed during a scheduled inspection that way? Nope, it just would not pass!
Yes, I too, have found some rather surprising things in fuel tanks, and between them and structure. The plane had flown safely up to that point, but not "airworthy".