THE career of Poole Pirates asset Darcy Ward continues to hang in the balance after his International Disciplinary Court hearing failed to produce a definitive verdict.

It had been hoped by the Pirates hierarchy that the 22-year-old – who failed an alcohol test at the Latvian Grand Prix on August 17 – would learn his fate before the weekend.

However, following today's events in Switzerland, a final outcome is expected next week.

Ward, who could receive a maximum two-year ban, had been indefinitely suspended from all speedway since he failed an alcohol test at the Latvian Grand Prix on August 17.

A statement released at the time by the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme – the global governing body of motorcycle racing – said that the Aussie had exceeded the alcohol threshold of 0.10g/L as fixed under the FIM Anti-Doping Code.

Ward blamed dehydration and immediately apologised.

The two-time world under-21 champion raced for Pirates in meetings against Leicester on August 20 and August 23 but was suspended by the FIM on August 28.

As a result, Ward played no further part in Pirates’ 2014 Elite League title triumph and also missed the finale of the Polish and Swedish seasons.

The Queenslander’s suspension contributed to his slide out of the top eight in the Grand Prix series, which effectively ruled him out of this year’s world championship.

The FIM International Disciplinary Court hearing has been subject to repeated delays, with two dates set in January alone before today’s summit was finally agreed.

Recently, the Daily Star reported that the FIM were “investigating claims that an off-duty policeman carried out the breathalyser test”.

And Polish website sportowefakty.pl reported that a blood test had not been taken as part of the procedure.

Following the incident in Daugavpils, Pirates team boss Neil Middleditch stated in a number of interviews that Ward deserved punishment.

However, Middleditch also criticised the delay over the final verdict and called on the FIM to show “transparency” regarding the case.