Loophole may save De Villiers
February 8, 2003

A legal loophole may allow French prop Pieter De Villiers to escape punishment despite testing positive for cocaine and ecstasy.

According to French sports daily L'equipe, French law doesn't allow for random cocaine and ecstasy tests unless the sport's national governing body has requested such a test.

De Villier's test on December 18 was to try and detect the presence of steroids, not recreational drugs.


French officials are awaiting the results of a second test before informing the International Rugby Board.

De Villiers has denied taking either drug, claiming that he had consumed a spiked drink.

French coach Bernard Laporte said that whatever the outcome, De Villiers should be allowed to continue playing for his country.

"If he had taken performance-enhancing drugs we would have looked at it differently, but this was something he took when he was at an after-match party. It cannot be condoned but I don't think it should rule him out for life," Laporte said.

De Villiers was dropped from the squad to play England in the Six Nations Championship opener at Twickenham on February 15.

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