ONE of Australia's most well-known rugby stars, Tony Daly, was deported from the United States while on his way to Bermuda to compete in the World Rugby Classic which starts this weekend.News reports say that Daly was deported from Los Angeles amid an FBI investigation into an alleged theft aboard a Qantas jet.

John Kane, Classic organiser, said yesterday he did not know much about the incident beyond what he had heard from news reports. "You know as much as I know," said Kane.

Daly — who was not charged — arrived back in Sydney yesterday morning after being detained and questioned by FBI officers at Los Angeles airport.

He was frogmarched from Qantas flight 11 upon touchdown at Los Angeles on Wednesday morning after a fellow passenger complained about missing carry-on valuables, believed to be a wallet and sunglasses.

Daly was travelling through the US en route to Bermuda with a group of fellow Australian rugby greats — known as Classic Wallabies — for the Classic.

"A number of passengers had complained to onboard Qantas staff that cash and credit cards had been stolen from their personal belongings while they were sleeping during the flight across the Pacific," said an FBI spokeswoman.

"A number of passengers aboard the plane were questioned, including every member of the Australian rugby touring party. But after several hours of questioning it was decided not to press charges."

Speaking to The Daily Telegraph while he waited to return to Sydney, Daly maintained his innocence.

"I did not steal anything. It's simply not true," said the veteran player, who has played 43 Tests for Australia.

An FBI spokeswoman confirmed that Daly had been put in a holding cell for several hours, "on suspicion of having committed a crime on board an aeroplane".

Just moments before being thrown out of the US, Daly claimed his deportation was due to a previous driving offence in the US.

"In 2004 I had a car accident in the States and I didn't turn up to court," he said.

"I can't come into the country because of that reason. I would have had to come back (to Australia) anyway."

Asked why he had attempted to enter the US knowing of the restriction, Daly replied: "I thought we were just going through transit and didn't have to go through customs."

The rest of the team continued on to Bermuda and were set to arrive yesterday.

Classic Wallabies coach Gary Ella, however, remained with Daly in Los Angeles.

"There were things taken, but no charges have been laid against Tony," Ella said. "They've found the items but they haven't charged anybody. Police have done their investigation and there's no case to answer."

Daly added that "two or three other players" also were questioned over the alleged theft.

"We were on the plane walking around, but it was pitch black — you couldn't see anything," he said. "If I did it (stole the items), I would have been charged."

After being released by the FBI, Daly was turned over to Department of Homeland Security Customs and Border Protection officers.

"His visitation rights were withdrawn," the FBI spokeswoman said.

This is not the first time Australia have been involved in off the pitch antics at the Classic.

Back in 1993 they created an uproar at the Number One Shed party when they performed lewd antics. The Aussies' exuberant stage display saw them drop their pants in front of a packed house.

And Classic organiser Kane quickly banned the team from the following year's Classic.

Last year a New Zealand player in Bermuda for the Classic was arrested for a suspected breaking and entering offence.

But the matter was settled out of court.

The player, who had been on a drinking spree, was arrested for trying to enter a Fairylands Road, Pembroke, home which he thought was his temporary residence.