Anti-doping investigators have accused Melbourne footballer Joel Smith of drug trafficking.
The 27-year-old has been charged with three anti-doping rule violations of the Australian Football Anti-Doping Code for “Trafficking or Attempted Trafficking” of Cocaine to third parties.
Under the code, trafficking is defined as “selling, giving, transporting, sending, delivering or distributing a prohibited substance by an athlete … to any third party”.
Smith has also been notified of another ADRV against him for possession of cocaine on 9 September 2022.
Smith is already facing a four-year ban after testing positive to the drug following the Demons’ round-20 clash against Hawthorn in August last year.
The AFL has confirmed Smith will remain “provisionally suspended pending the finalisation of all matters”.
“It means he is not permitted to be part of Melbourne’s football program, including Melbourne’s pre-season training that is currently underway,” the AFL said.
“Under the Code, the new asserted ADRVs will be further investigated by SIA and these matters may ultimately be heard by an AFL Anti-Doping Tribunal in the coming months.
“Due to the ongoing nature of the anti-doping process, the AFL and SIA are unable to make any further comment at this time”.
