AFL Daily: Willie Rioli hit with drugs ban for allegedly substituting urine sample
West Coast forward Willie Rioli is out of the finals series after he was provisionally suspended for returning an adverse drug finding in an out of competition ASADA test. RECAP THE DAY'S NEWS
West Coast forward Willie Rioli has been slapped with a mandatory provisional suspension under the AFL’s anti-doping code after a drug test last month returned an “adverse analytical finding for urine substitution”.
The AFL was on Wednesday informed by ASADA of the result of the A Sample test, with Rioli formally notified later that night of his suspension upon arriving in Melbourne.
The drug test took place on August 20.
Rioli, 24, faces a four-year ban for the breach under the code.
“The provisional suspension is effective immediately,” AFL General Counsel Andrew Dillon said, refusing to put a timeline on how long it would be in effect.
“Rioli will not be eligible to compete in AFL competitions or any WADA compliant sport including the WAFL while provisionally suspended.
“He will be able to train prior to final determination of the asserted code violation.”
The news comes on the eve of the Eagles’ semi-final against Geelong at the MCG on Friday night, a game for which Rioli has been withdrawn.
West Coast said in the statement it was disappointed by the suspension but was committed to supporting Rioli through the investigation.
“The West Coast Eagles have been made aware that Willie Rioli is the subject of an ASADA and AFL investigation,” the statement read.
“The club is extremely disappointed that one of our players has been provisionally suspended while a matter is being investigated and it will comply fully and openly with ASADA and the AFL through the process.
“The club is fully committed to supporting Willie during what is a personally distressing time.
“Our primary concern is Willie’s health and welfare.
“As this is an ongoing investigation the club, its staff and players can make no further comment until the investigation is completed.
“The West Coast Eagles fully supports the AFL and ASADA in its ideal of our game being drug free.”
The Eagles have been wound out from $1.90 to $2 with bookmaker TAB on the back of the announcement.
Rioli has played 14 games this year, averaging 6.6 score involvements and kicking 18 goals.
The small forward kicked one goal in each of West Coast’s three finals last year including the Grand Final.
Originally published as AFL Daily: Willie Rioli hit with drugs ban for allegedly substituting urine sample