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Vaka cautioned for assault

Tuesday 02nd October 2007

Vaka: Had to catch a later flight

Tonga winger Joseph Vaka was cautioned by police after clashing with an England fan who teased him over his team's World Cup defeat.

The 26-year-old was travelling home with team-mates on Sunday after being knocked out of the tournament by the world champions two days earlier.

However, the powerful finisher was arrested following a confrontation at Heathrow Airport's Terminal Three.

One witness told The Sun newspaper that the Tongan hit the fan, an airport worker, with his forearm after the man repeatedly chanted "Come on, England".

The player, who was sin-binned for an altercation with South African Frans Steyn during an earlier Pool match, was held for several hours before catching a later flight.

"Police were called at approximately 8.06pm on September 30 to Terminal Three at Heathrow Airport to reports of an assault," explained a Scotland Yard spokesman.

"Officers attended and found a member of BAA staff who had been assaulted by a member of the public.

"A 26-year-old man received a police caution for common assault and was allowed to board the next available flight."