Melbourne forward Joel Smith's anti-doping allegations have taken a new twist.
Smith was served three Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs) by Sport Integrity Australia (SIA) for alleged "trafficking or attempted trafficking" of cocaine to third parties on Tuesday.
The allegations are not criminal in nature.
In an anti-doping context, trafficking may include an athlete "selling, delivering or distributing" any prohibitive substance. From the statement, it is not clear what conduct Smith is alleged to have engaged in to warrant the accusations.
In addition, SIA notified Smith that an ADRV for possession of a prohibited substance (cocaine) on September 9, 2022, was asserted against him.
This marks the day of Melbourne's semi-final loss to Brisbane — a year before his positive test.
Smith tested positive for cocaine, a drug listed as a "substance of abuse" in the 2021 World Anti-Doping agency code, on the day of Melbourne's round 23 win over Hawthorn last season.
His results were made public on October 10. The latest ADRVs are in addition to that previously asserted against him regarding his positive sample.
Smith is yet to respond to the ADRVs.
MORE TO COME.
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