While Tongan fans are planning to celebrate their country’s win over Lebanon at a fan day in Auckland on Tuesday, one Kiwi fan is claiming he was beaten and kicked by Tongan police during celebrations to mark the kingdom’s win over Samoa.
Post-match celebrations after the defeat of Samoa turned violent after a group was assaulted by police, it has been claimed.
The New Zealand Herald has reported allegations that one of the group, schoolboy Francis Norris, was kicked and punched.
He was one of a group of 11 people, including a brother of former Warrior and Tonga wing Manu Vatuvei.
The Herald posted video of him limping.
Tongan police said the matter was being investigated after Norris’s family complained.
New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade has confirmed staff are helping an injured New Zealander in Tonga.
Meanwhile, in New Zealand, clashes between Tongan and Samoan fans led to arrests and calls for calm by both teams and government ministers.
However, Christchurch police praised the behaviour of the crowd at last night’s Tonga-Lebanon match at Christchurch Stadium.
Canterbury district metro area commander Superintendent Lane Todd said there were no arrests
Meanwhile, Auckland police are calling for information after a policewoman was hospitalised after an assault in south Auckland as police tried to keep order following Tonga’s win last night.
Police said she had been hospitalised with head and arm injuries.