- Joel Smith has been charged with drug trafficking
- Smith faces allegations from Sport Integrity Australia
- He could face a penalty of up to four years.
Joel Smith has been charged with cocaine trafficking in another bombshell that will rock the Melbourne Football Club.
According to News Corp, Sport Integrity Australia officials discovered multiple text messages sent by Smith referencing cocaine.
He allegedly sent a message to his Demons teammates last year offering them a quantity of the drug.
Under national anti-doping rules, drug trafficking is classified as any attempt to supply a prohibited substance, no matter how small the quantity.
The SIA requested a response from Smith in mid-March after claiming he had violated several anti-doping rules.
Soccer star Joel Smith has been charged with drug trafficking by Sport Integrity Australia
He is already in trouble after failing a match-day doping test last season.
The 27-year-old was already facing the prospect of a two-year ban after testing positive for cocaine on match day last year.
There were hopes within Smith’s camp, News Corp claims, that he would only receive a three-month suspension for his positive urine sample, which was collected during round 23.
However, the latest allegations could have much more serious consequences, including a possible four-year ban.
The AFL is reportedly awaiting the outcome of the SIA investigation before taking action, although the police could intervene.
The latest twist could also lead to scrutiny towards the Demons amid questions about the culture at the club.
The 27-year-old could face a suspension of up to four years while the SIA continues its investigation.
Former club president Glen Bartlett first raised concerns in 2021 but was removed by the board in April of that year. The club’s doctor, Zeeshan Arain, also left after expressing his concern.
Chief executive Gary Pert maintains the club’s culture is “the best I’ve seen in 40 years” following concerns over Smith’s positive test and Clayton Oliver’s wellbeing.
Smith has played 42 games for the Dees since signing in 2016 and remains provisionally suspended while the SIA continues its investigation.