Melbourne utility Joel Smith has been accused of cocaine trafficking or attempted trafficking by anti-doping investigators.
The development comes amid an ongoing probe following a failed drugs test.
Smith was first reported to have tested positive for cocaine after he supplied a urine sample following his side's Round 23 match against Hawthorn in August.
But the investigation has now taken another turn, following a statement from the AFL.
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Demons' Joel Smith accused of 'cocaine trafficking'
The AFL released the statement on Tuesday evening, in which Smith's initial failed anti-doping test was confirmed, and he was also accused of cocaine possession and "trafficking or attempted trafficking" of the drug.
"The AFL confirms that further Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs) have been asserted against Joel Smith of the Melbourne Football Club under the Australian Football Anti-Doping Code," the league statement read.
"Sport Integrity Australia (SIA) has notified Smith that three ADRVs for 'Trafficking or Attempted Trafficking' of Cocaine to third parties are asserted against him.
Under the Code, Trafficking in an anti-doping context is relevantly defined to be 'Selling, giving, transporting, sending, delivering or distributing a Prohibited Substance, by an Athlete … to any third party [but] shall not include actions involving Prohibited Substances which are not prohibited in Out-of-Competition Testing unless the circumstances as a whole demonstrate such Prohibited Substances are not intended for genuine and legal therapeutic purposes or are intended to enhance sport performance' (Article 1 of the Code).
"Further, SIA has notified Smith that an ADRV for Possession of a Prohibited Substance (Cocaine) on 9 September 2022 is asserted against him.
"These ADRVs are in addition to that previously asserted against him (in connection with a sample provided by him after the match between Melbourne and Hawthorn on 20 August 2023 which tested positive to Cocaine and its metabolite, Benzoylecgonine)."
Melbourne deny Joel Smith unhappy with the club
In the initial article that broke the story from the Herald Sun, a source was quoted as saying Smith was being 'scapegoated' for the alleged cultural issues at Melbourne.
"It looks like they are planning to hang Joel out to dry for behaviour that is commonplace at Melbourne,” the source said.
"It is not unusual for a group of young men who party together to share drugs. Joel might be foolish but he’s hardly Tony Mokbel.
"The club should be taking responsibility for what is happening to Joel instead of blaming him in order to cover up a much wider problem. Joel is not a bad apple in a barrel of clean ones – the whole joint is rotten."
However, Melbourne released a statement shortly after denying this to be case, paraphasing both Smith and his management team.
"Joel’s management has contacted the club on his behalf to advise that the comments made by the source within the article are not reflective of Joel’s views and the source is not speaking on any authority from Joel," the Demons said.
"Joel has made it very clear that he has no issues or concerns with anyone at the Melbourne Football Club.
"As the club has previously stated, we will wait for the investigation to be completed before we update our supporters further."
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How long could Joel Smith be suspended for?
Smith was already facing a potential two-year suspension, if found guilty, following his initial failed anti-doping test.
It's unclear how much the additional charges could add to any suspension.
The 27-year-old has yet to comment on the matter, and will remain provisionally suspended as the finalisation process takes place.
That means he will not be allowed to be part of Melbourne's football programs, including their current pre-season training.
The AFL also confirmed that the league's Anti-Doping Tribunal may set up a hearing to look into the case.
