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World Cup-winning All Black Ali Williams fined for buying cocaine in Paris

A FRENCH court has fined former New Zealand international ace Ali Williams 1500 euros (AUD $2117) for buying cocaine outside a Paris nightclub.

Ali Williams has received a 1500 euro fine for cocaine possession.
Ali Williams has received a 1500 euro fine for cocaine possession.

A FRENCH court has fined former New Zealand international ace Ali Williams 1500 euros (AUD $2117) for buying cocaine outside a Paris nightclub.

The 35-year-old former lock was arrested alongside Australian international James O’Connor in February and police sources said that the pair were clearly drunk when they detained them.

The police took the rugby stars into custody and tested them for cocaine.

Williams returned a negative result and O’Connor tested positive and was fined for using the drug.

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 grams of cocaine outside the night spot near the Champs Elysees.

Plain-clothes police officers said that Williams tried to get rid of the drug as they approached.

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

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Former All Blacks rugby player Ali Williams arrives at the Paris courthouse.
Former All Blacks rugby player Ali Williams arrives at the Paris courthouse.

Arriving at court accompanied by his lawyer, 2.02m New Zealander Williams was wearing a smart black suit and refused to comment to waiting reporters.

He and O’Connor now face a joint date to explain the incident to French Rugby authorities on April 12 where further action is expected.

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.

Lorenzetti and Williams had a close relationship and the Frenchman said he had been upset to have to sack him.

“His life has dramatically shifted. Ali had a boulevard, even a highway ahead of him. He could have done great things at the New Zealand federation or elsewhere,” Lorenzetti said in mid-March.

Ali Williams performs the Haka.
Ali Williams performs the Haka.

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.”

Originally published as World Cup-winning All Black Ali Williams fined for buying cocaine in Paris

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Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/rugby/former-world-cup-winning-all-black-ali-williams-fined-for-buying-cocaine-in-paris/news-story/ccbe13d12b6f02128e61142edf027bff