West Coast Eagles star who failed drug test was ‘caught pouring an energy drink into a beaker in failed bid to trick anti-doping testers’
Shocking facts have surfaced about how West Coast Eagles AFL player Willie Rioli allegedly failed a drug test, resulting in an indefinite suspension.
The AFL suspended him on Thursday following an alleged ‘adverse finding’ in a drug test done on August 20, two days after the Eagles’ round 22 encounter against Richmond.
The Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) alleges Rioli, 24, used a prohibited method to give a sample for the test.
According to reports, Rioli ‘panicked’ and allegedly poured an energy drink into a drug-test beaker before being discovered by ASADA officers.
‘He attempted to modify his sample on-site and was caught red-handed,’ a source told The Herald Sun.
AFL general counsel Andrew Dillon previously stated that the adverse analytical finding was a urine substitute.
The shocking revelation comes before of Rioli’s must-win elimination semi-final against the Geelong Cats at the MCG on Friday night.
ASADA alerted the AFL of the test results on Wednesday, and Rioli was advised later that night when he landed in Melbourne with the Eagles.
Rioli will be unable to compete in AFL competitions or any WADA-compliant sport, including the WAFL, while on indefinite suspension.
‘The club is extremely sad that one of our players has been temporarily suspended while a matter is being examined, and it will cooperate fully and openly with ASADA and the AFL throughout the process,’ an Eagles statement said.
‘The club is completely committed to assisting Willie during this difficult period.
‘Our major concern is Willie’s health and well-being.
‘Because this is an ongoing inquiry, the club, its personnel, and players cannot make any additional comments until the investigation is completed.
‘The West Coast Eagles wholeheartedly support the AFL and ASADA in their goal of keeping our game drug-free.
If found guilty, Rioli may face a four-year penalty.
Former Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority CEO Richard Ings termed it as ‘a most serious allegation’.
Rioli was born on the Tiwi Islands in the Northern Territory and has played 38 games for the Eagles since his AFL debut in round two of the 2018 season.
Willie Rioli is the nephew of former Richmond Tigers player Maurice Rioli and cousin of former AFL stalwarts Dean Rioli (Essendon) and Cyril Rioli (Hawthorn).
Another relative, Daniel, currently plays for Richmond.
