Kookaburra Craig cops hefty ban after Olympics arrest

Tom Craig has been slapped with a minimum six-month playing ban following a Hockey Australia (HA) investigation into his arrest for attempting to buy drugs during the Paris Olympics.

The Kookaburras mainstay was sanctioned on Wednesday, HA's integrity unit delivering a 12-month ban with six months suspended contingent on Craig meeting conduct and behavioural requirements.

The 29-year-old is still eligible to play overseas in competitions not sanctioned by HA and can be included in the Kookaburras' 2025 roster.

It leaves Craig's immediate international playing future in the hands of a coach yet to be announced after long-time Kookaburras mentor Colin Batch stepped down following Australia's quarter-final exit in Paris.

The next Pro League season dates are still be confirmed, but will likely begin in early 2025 before Craig's ban expires.

Craig had signed to play for Germany's Hamburg Polo Club and was set to meet with officials to explain his arrest.

His contract status is unclear after a statement published to the club's website last week was subsequently deleted.

The Bundesliga began last week and, alongside the Euro Hockey League, runs until May.

AAP understands those commitments originally meant Craig was not returning to Australia to feature in the upcoming Hockey One League, that he is also suspended from.

Craig was taken into custody when he was spotted by undercover French police attempting to buy cocaine after the side's Paris elimination.

He was held overnight and released without a fine or criminal record, then had his Australian Olympic athlete privileges stripped by chef de mission Anna Meares.

Craig has not spoken publicly since delivering a brief statement to media after his release, apologising for what he called "a terrible mistake".

The 28-year-old Craig, a silver medallist in Tokyo, had been one of his team's better performers in a disappointing campaign.

A HA spokesperson said Craig would continue to have access to all athlete support services.

Hamburg Polo Club has been contacted for comment.