Rugby stars Williams and O'Connor released from jail

By SAMUEL PETREQUIN - AP Sports Writer 27 February 2017, 12:00AM

PARIS (AP) — Former All Black lock Ali Williams and former Australia back James O'Connor have been released from jail after they were arrested while allegedly buying cocaine during a night out in Paris.

The Paris prosecutor's office said Sunday evening that Williams will be summoned at a later date for allegedly buying the equivalent of 2.4 grams of the drug.

O'Connor faces an undisclosed fine for alleged cocaine use, the office said, without giving further details.

The two rugby players were arrested near a Parisian night club around 3 a.m. local time on Saturday and they spent the following night behind bars.

Williams, who won the 2011 World Cup with New Zealand, currently plays with French club Racing 92.

Hours after the news broke, Racing 92 suspended Williams as a precautionary measure and also apologized to fans for the incident. The club hinted in a statement that his suspension could be made permanent if Williams' guilt was established.

"If the investigation confirms (Williams') possession of cocaine and the transaction, it would not only be a crime under the law but also a serious mistake in view of our ethics," the club said.

O'Connor is contracted to another Top 14 club, Toulon. The southern club's president, Mourad Boudjellal, told local media he would not rush into making a decision regarding his player's future.

The arrests came only days after another former All Black, Dan Carter, was forced to apologize for "a massive error of judgment" after he allegedly failed a drink-driving test in France.

Carter also plays for Racing 92, the defending French champions.

By SAMUEL PETREQUIN - AP Sports Writer 27 February 2017, 12:00AM
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