Belfast Giants Ice Hockey player Sean McMorrow has asked to be released from his club duties in order to return to North America where he is facing an indictment over drugs trafficking.
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The 28-year-old was named in court papers filed in New York State in connection with an alleged plot to smuggle cannabis from Canada to the US.
A spokesperson for the Belfast Giants said:
"Sean McMorrow has requested to be released from his playing duties with Belfast Giants in order to travel back to North America and deal with these allegations in personal capacity. He will be flying home to Canada shortly."
The club said it treats any allegation against its players "with the utmost seriousness".
"We are aware that an indictment has been served Sean McMorrow by a US Grand Jury last week.
"However, we are unable to comment further due to the fact that there is an ongoing Police investigation relating to alleged offences in 2003 in the USA during which time he did not play for the Belfast Giants."
The club said it was not aware of any allegations against Sean McMorrow during his time as a player for Belfast Giants in Northern Ireland.
McMorrow, who joined the Belfast Giants last September, has described the allegations as nasty and untrue.
He is expected to return to North America before the end of the week.
© UTV News