Drugs bombshell as Melbourne player Joel Smith returns positive test،
The AFL has provisionally resigned Melbourne utilityman Joel Smith, effective immediately, after he recorded a positive drugs test for cocaine during the home and away season.
The AFL confirmed on Wednesday morning that Smith was tested by Sport Integrity Australia officials following the Demons’ Round 23 match in Melbourne against Hawthorn on August 20 – as part of a routine drug-enhancing test. performance – but had only been informed of the positive result last week. The league said it did not learn of the result until the same time.
A few minutes after the Herald Sun After breaking a story on Wednesday morning about a player recording a positive drug test, the AFL confirmed Smith was the player in question.
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“The AFL confirms that a mandatory provisional suspension (effective immediately) has been imposed on Melbourne FC player Joel Smith following Sport Integrity Australia’s notification of an Adverse Analytical Finding (AAF) and of a potential violation of Australia’s anti-football law. Doping Code (Code),” reads the AFL press release.
“It is claimed that a sample provided by Smith during an in-competition doping test on August 20, 2023 returned an AAF for the presence of cocaine and its metabolite benzoylecgonine, a prohibited substance under the Code.
“The matter is now progressing in accordance with the Code, initially involving further investigation by Sport Integrity Australia, supported by the AFL.
“In the meantime, Smith will not be part of the Melbourne football program.”
Cocaine is on the list of stimulants banned in competition, rather than a specific substance, under the WADA Anti-Doping Code, which the AFL complies with and is governed in Australia by the SIA.
Under the AFL Anti-Doping Code, any player who tests positive for a substance of abuse and can demonstrate that his or her use of that substance was both out of competition and unrelated to sporting performance, is subject to a penalty. three-month ban.
The maximum penalty for intentional use of an unspecified substance under the AFL Anti-Doping Code is a four-year ban.
In a short statement, the Demons said they would continue to support Smith throughout the process.
“The Melbourne Football Club notes the communication sent by the AFL regarding Melbourne player Joel Smith and the notification made to it of an adverse analytical finding, a potential violation of the football anti-doping code Australian and the imposition of a provisional suspension which takes effect immediately,” he said. Reading the declaration of demons.
“As this matter is under investigation by Sport Integrity Australia, the Melbourne Football Club is unable to make any further comment at this time.
“The club will continue to support Joel throughout the process and will ensure our supporters are further informed when we are permitted to do so.”
Smith played in Melbourne’s two losing finals against Collingwood and Carlton, scoring one goal against the Pies before kicking three goals against the Blues.
The 27-year-old has played in 41 games for the Demons since being drafted as a rookie in 2015, including a career-high 11 in 2023.
Smith is the son of former Kangaroos and Demons high-flyer Shaun Smith, who played 109 AFL games between 1987 and 1998.
