Richie Hart's future as an Inverness player was hanging in the balance tonight after he was suspended by the club pending an investigation into his cocaine conviction.
The 29-year-old was fined $750 by Inverness Sheriff Court, having been found with the Class A drug at the Rock Ness music festival in June.
But the incident could have greater repercussions for the midfielder's future with the Clydesdale Bank Premier League club.
Caley Thistle vowed to stand by their "very firm" anti-drugs stance and claim that by suspending Hart they were acting not only to reassure supporters and the general public, but also sponsors.
The former Ross County and Brora Rangers player joined Inverness from the latter club in 2002.
Given Hart's offence occurred during the summer, in recreational circumstances, it is not clear whether the Scottish Football Association will now act.
However, Hart's more immediate concerns will be over his future at Inverness.
St Johnstone sacked George O'Boyle and Kevin Thomas in 2001 after drugs allegations, and were allowed to do so by the SFA despite the Scottish Premier League initially putting a block on the move.
Caley Thistle have announced they will deal with the case internally.
In a statement, the club announced: "Inverness Caledonian Thistle FC can confirm that following Richard Hart pleading guilty to a criminal offence concerning a controlled substance, Mr Hart has been suspended from training and playing with the club until further notice.
"When the matter was originally brought to our attention, the club interviewed the player and given his responses agreed to leave the matter until the allegations were addressed in court.
"The club would like to reassure the club's commercial partners, supporters and the public that the club adopts a very firm stance in relation to the use and/or possession of drugs.
"The club will deal with the matter internally and will make no further comment until the position has been resolved."
Hart's only first-team appearance during this campaign was as a substitute in the opening-day defeat to Rangers on August 4.
A foot injury kept him sidelined, but he recovered to make himself available to manager Craig Brewster and featured for the Inverness reserves last week.
But the incident could have greater repercussions for the midfielder's future with the Clydesdale Bank Premier League club.
Caley Thistle vowed to stand by their "very firm" anti-drugs stance and claim that by suspending Hart they were acting not only to reassure supporters and the general public, but also sponsors.
The former Ross County and Brora Rangers player joined Inverness from the latter club in 2002.
Given Hart's offence occurred during the summer, in recreational circumstances, it is not clear whether the Scottish Football Association will now act.
However, Hart's more immediate concerns will be over his future at Inverness.
St Johnstone sacked George O'Boyle and Kevin Thomas in 2001 after drugs allegations, and were allowed to do so by the SFA despite the Scottish Premier League initially putting a block on the move.
Caley Thistle have announced they will deal with the case internally.
In a statement, the club announced: "Inverness Caledonian Thistle FC can confirm that following Richard Hart pleading guilty to a criminal offence concerning a controlled substance, Mr Hart has been suspended from training and playing with the club until further notice.
"When the matter was originally brought to our attention, the club interviewed the player and given his responses agreed to leave the matter until the allegations were addressed in court.
"The club would like to reassure the club's commercial partners, supporters and the public that the club adopts a very firm stance in relation to the use and/or possession of drugs.
"The club will deal with the matter internally and will make no further comment until the position has been resolved."
Hart's only first-team appearance during this campaign was as a substitute in the opening-day defeat to Rangers on August 4.
A foot injury kept him sidelined, but he recovered to make himself available to manager Craig Brewster and featured for the Inverness reserves last week.
Copyright (c) Press Association
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