JOHN HARDIE has been suspended from playing for Edinburgh Rugby for a period of three months, as part of a range of sanctions imposed for gross misconduct as the outcome of an internal club investigation following allegations of cocaine use.
The suspension will run from when the investigation originally began in mid-October, meaning he will not be available for selection by Edinburgh Rugby until mid-January 2018, at the earliest.
“John has co-operated with the disciplinary process throughout. He has acknowledged the serious mistake he has made as a professional athlete and has accepted full responsibility for his conduct. It has been made clear that we are not prepared to tolerate the behaviour which caused this situation,” said a club spokesman.
“Support will be provided to the player by Edinburgh Rugby and Scottish Rugby on a personal and professional level throughout the period of his suspension and going forward.”
A Scottish Rugby representative stated that the governing body would not be divulging any details of the other sanctions being imposed on the player.
“I would like to apologise to everyone for putting myself in this situation,” said Hardie. “Through my actions I feel I have let my club, my teammates and the fans down. I want to acknowledge the support I have had from Edinburgh Rugby and Scottish Rugby in dealing with the issue. I am now focused on putting myself in the best possible position to be considered for selection again.”
Hardie’s current contract expires at the end of the season.