Tonga’s Under 19 football team officials have issued an apology following allegation of inappropriate behaviour toward a hula woman in Cook Islands.
The Tongan men’s national team are in the country for the 2018 OFC U-19 Championship Qualifier at the CIFA Academy.
It has been alleged a member of the Tongan team pushed a hula dancer into a swimming pool while she was performing during a welcoming function.
Photos seen by Kaniva News appeared to show a man wearing a tupenu was dancing towards a woman who was performing a hula.
Another photo appeared to show a man was holding a woman wearing hula outfit.
It is understood the Cook Island officials were unhappy with the attitudes of the Tongan team during the event.
The Tongan officials have removed one player from the national team as a result of the incident.
A spokesperson for the Tonga Football association told Kaniva News this afternoon the Tongan officials have apologised to the Cook Islands officials.
The spokesperson claimed the player was emotionally overreacting when the incident occurred during the ceremony.
