Elgin City have suspended first-team manager Allan Hale “with immediate effect, pending an ongoing investigation”.

The Scottish League 2 club say in a website statement they “will make no further comment until the investigation has concluded”.

The announcement comes five days after Elgin finished sixth in Scotland’s fourth tier after ending the season without a win in five outings following a 1-0 home defeat by fifth-placed Stranraer.

It also comes a day after the club announced contract extensions for defender Miko Virtanen and midfielder Brian Cameron, the departure of goalkeeper Thomas McHale to Highland club Nairn County after eight years at Borough Briggs, plus the release of six other players.

Hale took charge of Elgin in December 2023 and steered Elgin clear of relegation with a sixth-place finish by the end of the season.

Allan was appointed along with his assistant Stefan Laird on December 5, 2023 with the club in a difficult position near the foot of League 2.

The 38-year-old former Fraserburgh player previously managed Highland League clubs Huntly and Keith.