An Australian hockey player who was selected to participate at the 2024 Olympics in Paris has been banned for 12 months following his arrest for allegedly buying drugs.

Tom Craig has been suspended from playing hockey following his arrest on suspicion of purchasing cocaine in the French capital in July.

The 29-year-old was allegedly caught trying to buy cocaine just days after Australia crashed out of the tournament at the quarter-final stage and was detained by French police.

Craig was released without charge by the authorities, although he was given a warning by a judge.

However, he has been barred from playing the sport in his homeland after Hockey Australia ruled Craig must serve half of the ban, with the remaining six months suspended depending on whether certain conditions are met.

In a statement, Hockey Australia said: “Craig is required to complete mandatory training and education programmes as part of his sanction.

“Tom has had access to all of the athlete support services under our programme and he will continue to do so throughout his suspension. His welfare remains our priority.”

Craig’s ban begins from September 9, 2024, meaning that the Olympian will not be eligible to be included in the 2025 national men’s squad, which will be announced at the end of the year.

Shortly after news broke of Craig’s arrest, the athlete issued a public apology as he admitted he had “embarrassed” his loved ones following his brief detention.

“I would firstly like to apologise for what has occurred over the last 24 hours,” he said.

“I made a terrible mistake and I take full responsibility for my actions. My actions are my own and by no way reflect the values of my family, my teammates, my friends, the sport and the Australian Olympic team. I have embarrassed you all and I’m truly sorry.”

Australia chef de mission Anna Meares later confirmed in a statement that Craig had been stripped of his Olympic privileges and booted out of the athletes’ village.

“I cannot condone what Tom has done,” said Meares. “He is a good person who made a bad decision, but there are consequences for decisions like this. He has apologised and shown remorse. He has owned up to his mistake and we will support him if he needs help.”

Craig is a veteran of the Australian national hockey team, having made over a century of appearances throughout a decade-long career. He was part of the side that won gold at the Commonwealth Games in 2018 before claiming silver at the last Olympics in Tokyo.

But it remains to be seen whether he will be welcomed back into the fold following the controversy that tarnished Australia’s Olympic campaign in Paris.