Melbourne Football Player Joel Smith Facing Further Doping Allegations for Cocaine Trafficking

Melbourne Football Club‘s forward, Joel Smith, finds himself embroiled in a deeper doping scandal after the AFL confirmed three new anti-doping rule violations against him. The allegations point to the trafficking or attempted trafficking of cocaine, significantly elevating the severity of his situation. This revelation follows an initial charge concerning a positive test for cocaine and its metabolite on a game day.

Under the Australian Football Anti-Doping Code, trafficking is specified as the act of selling, transporting, delivering, or distributing a prohibited substance by an athlete to a third party. Smith now faces multiple allegations related to this infraction, including an asserted anti-doping rule violation for possession of cocaine in September 2022.

The three additional anti-doping violations against Smith came to light after the Sport Integrity Australia (SIA) investigated text messages allegedly sent by Smith referencing cocaine. SIA’s rigorous inquiry process includes scrutiny of athletes’ phones when handling doping cases of this nature. These new allegations compound the existing charge against Smith from an incident in August 2023.

Amidst the ongoing saga, Smith remains under provisional suspension, prohibiting his participation in Melbourne’s football program, including the current pre-season training sessions. The Melbourne Football Club has been notified of the asserted infractions, with the matter under investigation by Sport Integrity Australia.

As per the AFL Anti-Doping Code, which aligns with the World Anti-Doping Code, trafficking violations like those alleged against Smith carry a harsh penalty. Depending on the gravity of the violation, the player could face a minimum four-year ban up to a lifetime ineligibility.

The unfolding developments have cast a shadow over Joel Smith’s career and family heritage as the son of former AFL player Shaun Smith. Meanwhile, amid the controversy, Clayton Oliver has returned to full training ahead of the upcoming season after navigating personal health challenges during the off-season.

Smith’s predicament underscores the rigorous scrutiny professional athletes endure under the anti-doping protocols enforced by authorities like Sport Integrity Australia. The implications of these allegations extend beyond the individual, having ripple effects on his team and the broader AFL community.

The Melbourne Football Club and key figures like Simon Goodwin and Gary Pert have emphasized the importance of upholding high standards to preserve the club’s culture and reputation, reiterating their commitment to addressing any isolated incidents. With Smith’s case still pending investigations, the league and fans are left awaiting further developments.