Future of Thistle Girls FC in Inverness left in doubt as it suspended operations after police and Scottish Women’s Football launched an investigation into an individual connected with the club – Police Scotland confirm a 51-year-old man has been arrested following a report of an alleged sexual offence

An Inverness girls’ football club’s future was in doubt this week as it suspended operations.

It is understood that the move, at the end of last week, was initiated after police and Scottish Women’s Football launched an investigation into an individual connected with Thistle Girls FC.

It is understood that the wider club itself is not being investigated – though it took the decision at the end of last week to halt operations for 10 days – and parents have been informed of the situation.

A number of individuals associated with the club are believed to have quit in the light of the investigation.

Thistle Girls FC started in 2017 as an offshoot of Thistle Colts boys’ team with just six players.

It has since grown to around 150 members now, with players ranging in age from Primary 1 pupils up to 16-year-olds.

Last year it forged informal links with Inverness Caley Thistle to help feed players into their development squad.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “A 51-year-old man has been arrested following a report of an alleged sexual offence. He has been released pending further inquiry.”