Shock over Maka 'slave' claim

Finau Maka. Photo / Supplied

An illegal Tunisian immigrant at the heart of the probe into former Auckland Blues rugby player Finau Maka claims he had been "Finau's slave for four years", French media reported.

A 32-year-old man identified only as "Moucef" told the Toulouse daily La Depeche he had been a slave living on Maka's Toulouse property and promised money that had not been paid.

Maka has denied the claims, telling the Herald on Sunday that they were fabricated.

Maka, who helped drive Stade Toulouse this year to Europe's top club trophy, the Heineken Cup, was arrested last week and held for questioning for one day.

The local public prosecutor has said an investigation is under way into what the plaintiff's lawyer described as "modern slavery".

Police raided Maka's home last week after claims that the man was held in "disgraceful conditions".

Moucef said he arrived in France in 2005, paying a smuggler to help him enter the country via Libya and Italy.

He was hired by a building contractor in 2006 to do work at Maka's home before the contractor and Maka fell out. Maka then progressively hired him to do decoration work, said Moucef. "I worked very hard."

He added that he lived on Maka's property in the exclusive suburb of Beauzelle, in a small brick hut at the bottom of the garden. He sometimes helped with barbecues for Maka's teammates.

"They know me ... They were very nice," he said.

Moucef said the problems with Maka were over money. Maka sent his mother in Tunisia €2800 by money order, "but never met his big promises to pay me ... I was tricked."

Moucef said he could not run off because he was caught in a cleft stick.

"I wanted my money. Without money, I am nothing. And I don't have any papers. I was afraid of being arrested or losing everything.

"I was Finau's slave for four years," he alleged. "I want to get my money and see my family in Tunisia."

However, Maka told the Herald on Sunday from Toulouse that the allegations had already damaged his reputation.

"It's been a big shame for this to happen. All of the information they have got is just not true. I can't wait to tell the whole world my side of the story," Maka said.

Maka's brother Isitolo, a former All Black who is now Tonga's coach, said the Tunisian had left the house in January.

"Something happened and he left in January and never came back. And then all of a sudden the police came knocking on his door. For us to see this guy going to the police - out of nothing - is very shocking."