New Zealand rugby player Dan Carter has been "dropped as a brand ambassador for Land Rover" following his drunk driving "incident" in France last week, according to the NEW ZEALAND HERALD. The former All Black "admitted to drink driving in Paris last week." Carter was "caught drink-driving by French police on Wednesday," reportedly with a blood alcohol level of 0.98g per liter -- above the legal limit of 0.5g. French rugby journalist Richard Escot said that "he understood Carter had drank around four glasses of red wine at a dinner with his club and was not on a big night out when he was stopped by police for speeding on the Champs-Elysées in Paris" (NZ HERALD, 2/21). STUFF reported Carter confirmed the development on his Facebook page on Tuesday, saying, "Over the last few days my management and I have had to front up to my sponsors. Not surprisingly, Land Rover, who for good reason have zero tolerance towards drink driving, have ended their relationship with me. I understand this completely and am disappointed I put them in this position." He had a "squeaky clean" image until last week's "fateful night in the 17th district in Paris" (STUFF, 2/21). The AFP reported Carter posted over the weekend that he was back in New Zealand and "still reflecting on what he had done." He wrote on Facebook, "(It) was supposed to be a fun pre-planned holiday. Seeing the family again puts fresh perspective on just how big a mistake I made. #dontdrinkanddrive" (AFP, 2/21).
