Melbourne Demons participant Joel Smith has been accused of trafficking or tried trafficking of cocaine, in line with the AFL.
The AFL mentioned Sport Integrity Australia (SIA) has hit Smith with three anti-doping rule violations (ADRVs) over alleged trafficking to 3rd events, and an additional ADRV for possession of cocaine on September 9, 2022.
These are along with a violation over an alleged optimistic drug check for which Smith was provisionally suspended late final 12 months.
The important thing ahead submitted a pattern throughout an in-competition doping management check on August 20, 2023, when Melbourne took on Hawthorn, the AFL mentioned.
The pattern allegedly detected the presence of cocaine and its metabolite benzoylecgonine, which is a prohibited substance below the Australian Soccer Anti-Doping Code.
“Smith will proceed to be provisionally suspended pending the finalisation of all of those issues, that means he isn’t permitted to be a part of Melbourne’s soccer program, together with Melbourne’s pre-season coaching that’s at the moment underway,” the AFL mentioned in its assertion.
“Below the code, the brand new asserted ADRVs shall be additional investigated by SIA and these issues might finally be heard by an AFL Anti-Doping Tribunal within the coming months.”
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