Suspended sentences sought for brawling Fijians
PARIS: French prosecutors on Wednesday called for Fijian rugby stars Josaia Raisuqe and Waisea Nayacalevu to be given suspended sentences over a drunken brawl outside a Paris nightclub, during which Raisuqe allegedly sexually assaulted a woman.
Raisuqe, 23, and Waisea, 27, were wingers for the Top 14 side Stade Francais when they were arrested in the early hours of July 23 after a night out to celebrate Raisuqe's birthday.
A 35-year-old woman alleged that Raisuqe pinned her against a wall and "touched her breasts in a brutal way".
A brawl ensued between the players and two of the woman's friends, who were left with injuries for which they were signed off work for two to three days.
The rugby players are accused of punching their victims several times.
Raisuqe, who was sacked by Stade Francais over the affair, admitted to having drunk a dozen pints of beer and "a lot of vodka" but denied the allegations of sexual assault.
"I've never done that in my life," he told the court on Wednesday, adding: "In my culture, women are highly respected."
Raisuqe has been taken on by second-flight outfit Nevers.
Waisea, who was the leading try scorer in the Top 14 last season, was kept on by Stade Francais after being given a warning.
The prosecutor called for Raisuqe to be given a one-year suspended sentence and Waisea a six-month suspended sentence. - AFP