THE AFL on Thursday confirmed that a mandatory provisional suspension had been handed to West Coast Eagles player William Rioli following notification to him by ASADA of an Adverse Analytical Finding (AAF) and a potential violation of the Australian Football Anti-Doping Code (Code).

It is asserted that Rioli's A sample returned an Adverse Analytical Finding for Urine Substitution being a Prohibited Method following an Out-of-Competition doping control test on 20 August 2019. 

ASADA informed the AFL on Wednesday of the results of the testing of the sample and Rioli was formally notified late last night after arriving in Melbourne.

Under the Code, ASADA conducts testing for the AFL as part of a comprehensive anti-doping program designed to protect the integrity of the AFL competition.

The provisional suspension is effective immediately.  Rioli will not be eligible to compete in AFL competitions or any WADA-compliant sport (including the WAFL) while provisionally suspended, but will be able to train, prior to the hearing and determination of the asserted Code violation.

Rioli has been withdrawn from the West Coast Eagles team that will play against Geelong on Friday night.

It is important that Rioli be provided a fair process. As a result, the AFL will not be providing further detail on this case at this time.