Hearts football club suspend sex offender Thomson

Scottish Premier League side Hearts announced Tuesday they had suspended defender Craig Thomson with immediate effect. Their decision came just a day after the Edinburgh club said they were standing by the player, following a conviction for "lewd, libidinous and indecent behaviour". But that decision prompted a public backlash, with one of the club's sponsors saying they would withdraw their backing in protest and a short statement on Hearts' official website Tuesday said: "Hearts today announce that Craig Thomson is suspended with immediate effect. "No further comment will be made by the club." Thomson, a 20-year-old full-back, earlier this month pleaded guilty, was fined and placed on the sex offenders register in relation to his inappropriate conduct towards two underage girls over the internet. And Monday saw Hearts sponsor MacB Water - announce they were withdrawing backing worth more £5,000. A MacB spokeswoman said: "As a company with strong family values, we are left with no choice but to terminate our relationship with the Hearts Football Club. "Along with countless others, fans and co-sponsors alike, we are extremely disappointed with the club's handling of this situation and as a result can no longer continue our support." Hearts manager Jim Jefferies, speaking Monday before the club's change of policy of towards Thomson: "There will be some games now where this gives us a situation. "We have to make sure that if Craig ever gets back in the team -- and let's not forget there's competition for places -- how will he handle what's coming to him? "We have to be sure as well because at the end of the day that's going to affect the performance of the rest of the players if it becomes a bit of a sideshow which gets out of hand."