Former NRL star Blake Ferguson has had his Japanese club rugby contract torn up before he ever managed to play a game for Green Rockets Tokatsu.
The club confirmed the move in a statement on Monday (AEDT) after the 31-year-old was arrested by Tokyo police and allegedly found in possession of illegal drugs over the weekend.
According to local media, police were called to a restaurant in Tokyo on Thursday where Ferguson was involved in an altercation with another patron.
The winger, who left Parramatta at the end of the 2021 NRL season to try his hand in Japanese club rugby union, was then searched and allegedly found with the drugs – reportedly cocaine.
The 31-year-old, who won a premiership with the Roosters in 2018, had only recently signed with Green Rockets, whose domestic season is scheduled to begin on January 8.
However Ferguson will not be taking part in the campaign, alongside Australian coaching director Michael Cheika, after the club revealed it had sacked the former Kangaroos star.
“Regarding Ferguson, the player contract was cancelled on January 2nd,” the club wrote.
In an earlier part of the statement, the Green Rockets confirmed news of Ferguson’s arrest.
“Blake Ferguson, a contract player belonging to NEC Green Rockets Tokatsu, was arrested on December 30 on suspicion of possessing illegal drugs,” the Green Rockets wrote.
“We deeply apologise for causing a great deal of concern and inconvenience to everyone involved.
“Our team fully cooperates with the police investigation and strives to understand the situation.”
Ferguson is now behind bars and working with the Australian Embassy in Japan as he faces up to five years in jail for the drug offences.
“The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is providing consular assistance to an Australian detained in Tokyo,” a DFAT spokesperson confirmed.
“Owing to our privacy obligations we will not provide further comment.”