Hearts have suspended Craig Thomson, who was convicted last week of indecent behaviour towards two young girls on the internet.
Last Friday the club said it took Thomson's conviction "very seriously".
But Hearts stated Thomson, 20, would remain at the club since there were "mitigating circumstances" surrounding his "grave error of judgement".
Pressure had since grown on the club to sack or suspend the defender, who was placed on the sex offenders register.
A statement from Hearts on Friday said: "The club views this matter very seriously and does not condone the behaviour of the player. Appropriate action to prevent any further development of unlawful activities has been taken.
"In reaching this decision, the club accepted that there are sufficient mitigating circumstances that provide significant assurance that the player's conduct, no matter how distasteful, was the result of a grave error of judgement due to naivety and possible wrong outside influence rather than anything more sinister and it will not be repeated."
In recent days the charity Children 1st and the club's water sponsor were among those urging Hearts to take stronger action against the player, who was fined £4,000 for his behaviour towards two girls aged 12 and 14 on the internet.
The charity's policy manager Kate Higgins had told the BBC: "We believe that Hearts Football Club needs to look again at this situation - not taking action to protect children from the risk of sexual harm is unacceptable.
"Allowing convicted sex offenders to continue working where they will have direct and indirect contact with children is wrong."
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