Paris Hilton released without charge

Hollywood socialite Paris Hilton was arrested after a World Cup match in South Africa on Friday but subsequently released without charge early on Saturday.

"Paris Hilton was questioned today by police in South Africa on allegations of smoking marijuana," a publicist for Hilton said in a statement. "However I can confirm that the incident was a complete misunderstanding ... The case has been dropped against Paris and no charges will be made."

Hilton was arrested after the Brazil-Netherlands World Cup quarter-final game. She appeared at a special court hearing in the South African city of Port Elizabeth, but was subsequently released without charge.

The celebrity heiress arrived in South Africa on Thursday, according to her posts on Twitter.

Hilton, 29, the great-granddaughter of Hilton hotels founder Conrad Hilton, made world headlines in June 2007, when she was spent three weeks in a Los Angeles jail for violating her probation in an earlier reckless driving charge.

The wafer-thin blonde, who has worked as a model, singer, actress, fashion designer, and reality TV star has since adopted a lower public profile.

However she remains a staple on red carpets around the world for movie premieres, night-club openings, and as a celebrity endorser of products ranging from wine to clothing.