Suspended Melbourne user Joel Smith has been charged with trafficking or attempted trafficking of cocaine by Sports Integrity Australia, casting further doubt on his already precarious AFL career.
Smith has been provisionally suspended since October, when he was reported with a positive cocaine test following the Demons’ Round 20 win over Hawthorn on August 20.
But in a dramatic escalation on Tuesday, the AFL confirmed that Sports Integrity Australia (SIA) had charged Smith with three anti-doping rule violations (ADRVs) of the Australian Football Anti-Doping Code for alleged “trafficking or attempted trafficking” of cocaine to third parties. parties.
According to the code, trafficking is defined as “the sale, delivery, transportation, shipment, delivery or distribution of a prohibited substance by an athlete… to any third party.”
After searching Smith’s phone, officials allegedly discovered multiple text messages sent by the player that referenced cocaine, it reports. news corporation.
Joel Smith has been charged with trafficking or attempted trafficking of cocaine, and the surprising fact leaves his career in doubt.
Officials have allegedly discovered text messages sent by Smith (pictured with partner Elise Carroll) that reference cocaine.
In a message he is accused of sending to his Demons teammates last year, Smith allegedly offered a quantity of the drug in question.
It has not been confirmed how much cocaine was offered or how many colleagues the text message was sent to.
Smith was also notified of another ADRV for possession of cocaine on September 9, 2022.
He had already faced a maximum four-year suspension under the AFL’s anti-doping code for his positive cocaine test.
It’s unclear how much the additional charges could add to any suspension, or when that would be determined.
Smith will remain provisionally suspended and will not be able to train or play with his teammates, and the AFL confirmed under the code that the SIA will further investigate the new alleged breaches.
The 27-year-old’s matter could be heard at the AFL Anti-Doping Tribunal in the coming months.
Smith allegedly offered his Melbourne Demons teammates a quantity of drugs in a text message.
The 27-year-old is already in trouble after allegedly failing a match-day drug test last season.
A source close to the investigation said Smith should not be “scapegoated” for what they suggested was a wider problem at the club.
“It appears they are planning to hang Joel for behavior that is common in Melbourne,” the source told News Corp.
‘It is not unusual for a group of young people partying to share drugs. Joel may be dumb, but he’s no Tony Mokbel.
“The club should take responsibility for what is happening to Joel instead of blaming him to cover up a much wider problem. Joel is not a bad apple in a barrel of clean apples: the whole joint is rotten.
This adds up to an off-season nightmare for Melbourne, whose culture has been repeatedly questioned.
Demons chief executive Gary Pert recently said the club’s culture was “the best I’ve seen in 40 years”.
His comment came amid significant concerns about Smith’s positive test and the behavior of teammate Clayton Oliver, who recently returned to the fold after taking a personal leave.
The 27-year-old could face a suspension of up to four years while the SIA continues its investigation.
The Demons issued a statement on Tuesday night confirming the AFL had informed them of Smith’s new alleged violations.
Melbourne also said Smith’s management had contacted the Demons, insisting that comments made to News Corp suggesting the 27-year-old was being “scapegoated” did not come from his camp or reflect his views. .
“Joel has made it very clear that he has no issues or concerns with anyone at the Melbourne Football Club,” the Demons said.
Melbourne emphasized that they were unable to comment publicly on the violations committed against Smith while the investigation was ongoing.
The tall, versatile Smith has battled injuries throughout his career but played 14 of his 42 career games for Melbourne last year, including the Demons’ two narrow final losses against Collingwood and Carlton.
He is the son of former Melbourne and North Melbourne flyer Shaun Smith.