Player accused of slavery
Finau Maka, the big Tongan forward playing for Toulouse has apparently been charged with “modern slavery” and kept in police cells overnight.
This happened after the police raided Maka in the Toulouse house in which his wife Elizabeth and his young son Brian also live. The police raided the house after reports to investigate a complaint that a young Tunisian man who was living in the house was allegedly being treated with utter indignity, forced to do things against his will.
The Tunisian is alleged to be an illegal immigrant into France.
AFP reported that the Investigating Magistrate Michel Valet said: “I received a complaint lodged for modern slavery and dated 29 April in the name of a person who said they were a victim (of Maka). I ordered a police investigation, as there are still inquiries to be made. The investigation is continuing.”
Maka, accompanied by his legal adviser Maître Palao, stated that he intends explaining the circumstances at a press conference on Monday.
Bushy-haired Maka, Tongan-born and New Zealand reared, played for the Hurricanes before going to France. He was one of the big personalities of the 2007 Rugby World Cup when he played for Tonga.
