Melbourne AFL player Joel Smith accused of cocaine trafficking

Suspended Melbourne AFL utility Joel Smith has been accused of trafficking or attempted trafficking of cocaine by Sports Integrity Australia.

Smith has been provisionally suspended since October, when he was notified of a positive cocaine test after the Demons’ round-20 win over Hawthorn on 20 August.

But in a dramatic escalation on Tuesday, the AFL confirmed Sports Integrity Australia, a government executive agency, had charged Smith with three anti-doping rule violations (ADRVs) of the Australian Football Anti-Doping Code over alleged “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 for possession of cocaine on 9 September 2022.

Smith already faced a maximum four-year ban under the AFL’s anti-doping code for his positive cocaine test.

It is unclear how much the additional charges could add to any suspension, or when that would be determined.

Smith will remain provisionally suspended and unable to train or play with his teammates, and the AFL confirmed under the code the new asserted ADRVs will be further investigated by SIA.

The 27-year-old’s matter could be heard at the AFL Anti-Doping Tribunal in the coming months.

This adds to a nightmare off-season for Melbourne, who have had their culture repeatedly questioned.

The Demons released a statement late on Tuesday night confirming they had been informed by the AFL of Smith’s new alleged violations.

Melbourne stressed they were not able to make public comments on the violations levelled at Smith while the investigation was ongoing.