On Friday 27 March 2015, the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority informed the AFL that samples taken from Lachlan Keeffe and Josh Thomas of the Collingwood Football Club on 10 February 2015 had tested positive for the presence of a WADA-prohibited substance.

The substance, clenbuterol, is not a specified substance on the AFL Anti-Doping prohibited list and as such, requires the players to be provisionally suspended.

The AFL notes that only the A sample has been tested and the players will require an analysis of their B sample in accordance with the AFL Anti-Doping Code. The testing of the B sample is currently scheduled for 14 April 2015.

It’s important to note that until the outcome of the B sample is known, the commencement of the provisional suspension is not an admission of guilt or wrongdoing, but a procedural requirement under the AFL Anti-Doping Code.

The players have consented to the release of this statement.

The club will be making a public statement shortly.

The AFL will not comment further on this issue at this time.