Share

Ex-All Black fined for buying cocaine

Paris - A French court on Wednesday fined former New Zealand international Ali Williams €1,500 for buying cocaine outside a Paris nightclub.

The 35-year-old lock was arrested alongside Australian international James O'Connor in February and police said that the pair were in possession of cocaine and clearly drunk.

Williams, who retired in 2015 after leaving the French side Toulon, made a brief comeback this season with Racing 92.

But the Parisians fired him following his arrest in possession of 2.4 grammes (0.08 ounces) of cocaine outside the night spot near the Champs Elysees.

When tested for cocaine Williams returned a negative result, unlike O'Connor, who tested positive and was fined for using the drug.

O'Connor was suspended by his club Toulon after his arrest but returned to training with the Top 14 side in late March.

The pair now face a joint date to explain the incident to French Rugby authorities on April 12.

Williams won the World Cup with New Zealand in 2011 and played for his country 77 times but has been stripped of his ambassadorial role and told he has no future at Racing by club president Jacky Lorenzetti, whose wine company Williams also worked for.

The affair has gone down badly in New Zealand.

Fairfax New Zealand sports columnist Kevin Norquay called Williams' conduct unacceptable for a former All Black, particularly one who once led the team's fabled haka war dance.

"Ali Williams has hauled the proud black name through the white powder dirt," he wrote.

"He's not just a silly boy with money having a bit of a lark outside a Paris nightclub.

"He's Ali Williams, All Black lock, 77 Test caps, World Cup winner in 2011. Wearer of the Silver Fern, dispenser of the haka."

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
How much would you be prepared to pay for a ticket to watch the Springboks play against the All Blacks at Ellis Park or Cape Town Stadium this year?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
R0 - R200
33% - 1818 votes
R200 - R500
32% - 1778 votes
R500 - R800
19% - 1084 votes
R800 - R1500
8% - 461 votes
R1500 - R2500
3% - 187 votes
I'd pay anything! It's the Boks v All Blacks!
5% - 254 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE