Sport Integrity Australia acknowledges the decision of the AFL Anti-Doping Tribunal to impose a two-year ban on athlete William Rioli for the anti-doping rule violations of the:
- Use of a prohibited method, namely urine substitution on 20 August 2019;
- Presence of a metabolite, a prohibited substance namely Carboxy-THC (11-nor-9-carboxy-delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol on 5 September 2019; and
- Use of a prohibited method, namely urine substitution on 5 September 2019.
Mr Rioli, an Australian Rules football player who competed for West Coast Eagles in the AFL competition, returned Adverse Analytical Findings (AAF) from an out of competition doping control test on 20 August 2019 and an in-competition doping control test on 5 September 2019.
The AFL Anti-Doping Tribunal found that:
- The urine sample provided by the athlete on 20 August 2019 at an out-of-competition doping control test returned an Adverse Analytical Finding (AAF) for use of a prohibited method, namely urine substitution.
- On 5 September 2019 the urine sample provided by the athlete during an in-competition doping control test detected the presence of the metabolite of a prohibited substance, namely Carboxy-THC (11-nor-9-carboxy-delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol), known as cannabis. However, before that sample was taken Mr Rioli was observed to have committed an AAF for the use of a prohibited method, namely urine substitution.
Cannabis is a Specified Substance listed under the class S8 Cannabinoids under the World Anti-Doping Code - International Standard - Prohibited List 2019. It is used to decrease pain, anxiety and tension and is prohibited in competition only.
The AFL Anti-Doping Tribunal imposed a period of ineligibility of two years.
Mr Rioli will be eligible to return to competition on 20 August 2021.
Sport Integrity Australia is committed to protecting the right of clean athletes to fair competition. If you are aware of any suspicious activity, you can report it anonymously via the Sport Integrity Australia website
