Melbourne ahead Joel Smith is reportedly attempting to get entry to an anti-doping provision that might have him serve solely a one-month ban after testing constructive for cocaine on the day of a match this 12 months.
Smith examined constructive for cocaine and its metabolite, benzoylecgonine, after the Demons’ spherical 23 sport towards Hawthorn on August 20 earlier than being notified and provisionally suspended on October 10.
The Age is reporting Smith is wanting to make use of a provision adopted by the World Anti-Doping Agency in 2021 which permits athletes who check constructive for cocaine, ecstasy, heroin or hashish or their metabolites to be provided a three-month suspension.
This is as a substitute of the necessary, four-year penalty for different banned substances, however Smith should persuade the authorities that he didn’t take the drug to realize a bonus in his efficiency.
Smith may get the ban all the way down to solely a month if he completes a drug remedy program accepted by the AFL below the availability.
It comes after Smith is reportedly the primary AFL participant to check constructive for a drug that’s deemed a “substance of abuse” by the World Anti-Doping Agency.
The Age is reporting that Smith’s hopes of this taking place are being hindered as a result of the AFL doesn’t have an accepted drug remedy program that may fulfill the World Anti-Doping Code’s necessities.
Smith would additionally want a call round his future from the AFL and Sports Integrity Australia to maneuver quicker than they’ve traditionally if he can reap the benefits of the availability.
Former West Coast ahead Willie Rioli was pressured to attend 18 months earlier than he obtained a back-dated two-year ban for tampering with a urine pattern within the 2019 finals sequence.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
