Scandal Joel Smith (Melbourne): Cocaine trafficking accusation

Remove this Banner Ad

Trafficking Accusation:


MFC and AFL Statements:

Melbourne Football Club Media Statement – Joel Smith


The Melbourne Football Club has been advised by the AFL that further Anti-Doping Rule Violations have been asserted against Joel Smith by Sport Integrity Australia.

The Melbourne Football Club is not authorised to make public comment while this is an ongoing matter that is being investigated by Sport Integrity Australia.

It should be noted since the article has been published on the Herald Sun website, Joel’s management has contacted the Club on his behalf to advise that the comments made by the source within the article are not reflective of Joel’s views and the source is not speaking on any authority from Joel.

Joel has made it very clear that he has no issues or concerns with anyone at the Melbourne Football Club.

As the Club has previously stated, we will wait for the investigation to be completed before we update our supporters further.

AFL STATEMENT – JOEL SMITH

The AFL confirms that further Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs) have been asserted against Joel Smith of the Melbourne Football Club under the Australian Football Anti-Doping Code.

Sport Integrity Australia (SIA) has notified Smith that three ADRVs for “Trafficking or Attempted Trafficking” of Cocaine to third parties are asserted against him.

Under the Code, Trafficking in an anti-doping context is relevantly defined to be “Selling, giving, transporting, sending, delivering or distributing a Prohibited Substance, by an Athlete … to any third party [but] shall not include actions involving Prohibited Substances which are not prohibited in Out-of-Competition Testing unless the circumstances as a whole demonstrate such Prohibited Substances are not intended for genuine and legal therapeutic purposes or are intended to enhance sport performance” (Article 1 of the Code).

Further, SIA has notified Smith that an ADRV for Possession of a Prohibited Substance (Cocaine) on 9 September 2022 is asserted against him.

These ADRVs are in addition to that previously asserted against him (in connection with a sample provided by him after the match between Melbourne and Hawthorn on 20 August 2023 which tested positive to Cocaine and its metabolite, Benzoylecgonine).

Smith will continue to be provisionally suspended pending the finalisation of all of these matters, meaning he is not permitted to be part of Melbourne’s football program, including Melbourne’s pre-season training that is currently underway.

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.
 
Last edited:

Log in to remove this ad.

Log in to remove this ad.

Not sure you should be listing his name...
AFL has done it.

AFL STATEMENT

The AFL confirms that a mandatory provisional suspension (which is effective immediately) has been imposed on Melbourne FC player Joel Smith following notification to him by Sport Integrity Australia of an Adverse Analytical Finding (AAF) and a potential violation of the Australian Football Anti-Doping Code (Code).

It is asserted that a sample provided by Smith during an In-Competition doping control test on 20 August 2023 returned an AAF for the presence of Cocaine and its metabolite Benzoylecgonine being a Prohibited Substance under the Code.

Smith was tested after the Round 23 Melbourne vs Hawthorn game on Sunday August 20, 2023 and was notified by Sport Integrity Australia last week in relation to the finding. The AFL was made aware of the test results at the same time.

The matter is now progressing in accordance with the Code, initially involving further investigation by Sport Integrity Australia supported by the AFL.

In the interim Smith will not be part of Melbourne’s football program.

The AFL is unable to make any further comment at this time.
 

(Log in to remove this ad.)

ringo starr animation GIF by weinventyou


Melbournes forward line
 
The code was updated on January 1, 2021, whereby “an athlete who has tested positive to a Substance of Abuse’ in-competition (which includes cocaine), the sanction is only three months if the athlete can prove the substance was used out of competition and was unrelated to sporting performance’’.

That's good. As dumb Smith was the punishment needs to fit the crime and 2 year bans are way overkill.
 
Our culture within the club has been piss weak since we won a flag. Embarrassed as a supporter right now. Constant off-field issues and trying to put fires out everywhere. Any other Melbourne supporter that thinks otherwise or pretends like we are in a better position culturally have blinders on.

Disgrace.
 
I really want to hear what Joel Smith father has to say about all this?

Was quick to jump on the AFL and Maynard.

Word he used was disgusting from memory.
 
Ha Adelaide were NEVER getting Harrison Petty
 
Our culture within the club has been piss weak since we won a flag. Embarrassed as a supporter right now. Constant off-field issues and trying to put fires out everywhere. Any other Melbourne supporter that thinks otherwise or pretends like we are in a better position culturally have blinders on.

Disgrace.

This is what happens when you have a coach who can't take any ownership or responsibility unfortunately.

Fish rots from the Head.
 
Fringe player from a premiership contender takes illegal drugs right before a finals series.

Deserves to have the book thrown at him.

This goes beyond the 'everyone is doing nose beers so who cares?' narrative. Show some professionalism. Stay off it for a couple of weeks then let loose. I'd be ropeable if I was a Dees fan.
 

Remove this Banner Ad

Scandal Joel Smith (Melbourne): Cocaine trafficking accusation

Remove this Banner Ad

Back
Top