This article is more than 10 years old

This article is more than 10 years old

The US socialite Paris Hilton appeared at a special FIFA World Cup court last night after she was arrested by South African police following her attendance at the Holland v Brazil football match for allegedly possessing cannabis.

Hilton had been watching the World Cup game at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Port Elizabeth evening when she was escorted from the ground by two officers.

It is understood she was in the stadium's VIP suite after the game finished when the officers allegedly found a substance in her handbag. The heiress was taken to Mount Road police station in nearby St Croix, just before 8pm where she was charged and then released. She appeared before the special court, set up to deal with alleged crimes committed around the games, at about midnight. The charges against her were later dropped

Her Los Angeles-based publicist Dawn Miller told the Associated Press that she was awaiting details from the court appearance before commenting.

The provincial head of detectives in Port Elizabeth, Mark Magadlela, confirmed that Hilton was at the police station and had been released.

Police spokeswoman for Port Elizabeth, Brigadier Marinda Mills would only say that "a high-profile person" was to appear in court on drug-related charges.

The 29-year-old has been in the country with sister Nicky watching the tournament.

Despite reports of her arrest there was no word of any trouble from the heiress, who has been keeping Twitter followers up to date during her five-star trip.

Hours after the game she tweeted, "Had so much fun at the game today. What a match! I love South Africa! It's so beautiful here. I can't wait to go on the safari this week and see all the amazing animals."

Her visit has attracted a great deal of publicity, and she posted a picture of her face on the front page of a local newspaper alongside the tweet: "Love the World Cup!"

Hilton is not known as a football fan but she did have a brief fling with Portugal's former Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo.