Kookaburras player Tom Craig has been hit with a 12-month ban from Hockey Australia following his arrest at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Craig was arrested by French police after they witnessed him attempting to purchase cocaine in the 9th arrondissement of Paris following the Kookaburras' quarterfinal defeat to eventual champions the Netherlands.
He was released without being charged, having been issued with a warning.
The 29-year-old will not be allowed to play in any Hockey Australia-sanctioned competition, including the domestic Hockey One league season, where he had played for New South Wales Pride, and the international Pro League.
It is not clear whether Craig will play in the Euro Hockey League, where he is contracted with Hamburger, based in Hamburg, Germany.
He will be eligible to be selected for the sixth-ranked Kookaburras in 2025, with the squad expected to be named by the end of the year.
Hockey Australia said in a statement that six months of the ban will be served fully, with six months suspended "contingent upon meeting conduct and behavioural requirements".
Craig apologised for what he called "a terrible mistake" upon being released from police custody, the day after he was arrested.
"I take full responsibility for my actions," Craig said in Paris.
"My actions are my own and by no way reflect the values of family, my teammates, my friends, my sport and the Australian Olympic team.
"I've embarrassed you all, and I'm truly sorry."
Hockey Australia said Craig's welfare "remains our priority" and he will continue to have access to athlete support services during his suspension.
Craig played all six matches for Australia at the Olympic Games, scoring once in the 3-2 pool stage defeat to India.
He won a silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics with the Kookaburras and has played 142 games for his country.
In Paris, Australia's chef de mission Anna Meares said Craig was a "good person who made a bad decision" and stripped him of his Olympic privileges.
Hockey Australia and Craig said there would be no further comment.
