THE AFL and Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority remained in conversations on Tuesday over the immediate future of Greater Western Sydney midfielder Lachie Whitfield.
Whitfield is alleged to have breached the AFL's anti-doping code and ASADA has reportedly formed the view he should be charged under that policy.
An ASADA spokesperson told AFL.com.au on Tuesday: "Conversations between AFL and ASADA are ongoing, following receipt of legal advice on these matters".
Former ASADA boss Richard Ings said it was still unclear if Whitfield would be charged under the AFL's illicit drugs policy or the League's anti-doping code.
There are reported to be incriminating text messages between the GWS midfielder and his former girlfriend that show he was allegedly trying to avoid drug testers.
If Whitfield was trying to avoid ASADA tests for performance enhancing drugs, he faces a much heftier ban than if he was avoiding AFL illicit drug testers.
"Based on media reports, this appears to be a matter that could either fall under the AFL illicit drugs policy or fall under the ASADA anti-doping policy," Ings told AFL.com.au.
"I am sure both the AFL and ASADA are working cooperatively to identify exactly where these unusual set of circumstances regarding this player actually fall and under which policy this matter should be taken forward, if at all.
"While not drawing any conclusions in regard to this particular matter, in general where an athlete is involved in avoiding anti-doping testing conducted by ASADA, a sanction ranging up to a four-year ban from competition can be imposed."
Whitfield is alleged to have breached either the anti-doping code or illicit drugs policy in 2015 when he avoided drug testers by staying at former Greater Western Sydney welfare manager Craig Lambert's house.
Former GWS football manager Graeme Allan and Lambert have been accused of conspiring for Whitfield to stay at the latter's home to avoid drug testers and would receive lengthy bans if found guilty.
Allan, who has engaged the services of senior litigation and dispute resolution lawyer Leon Zwier, is now at Collingwood and Lambert is with the Brisbane Lions.
If Whitfield's alleged offence is deemed to fall under the anti-doping code, ASADA will ask the AFL to issue infraction notices if it believes a breach has taken place.
Whitfield would then front the AFL anti-doping Tribunal.
It remains possible the Whitfield matter could come under the AFL's illicit drugs policy and the path forward would not involve ASADA.
If the alleged breach falls under the anti-doping code, Whitfield's ban would likely start at four years and then potentially be reduced down based on circumstances.
GWS commissioned an independent investigation last year into the allegations against Whitfield and found there was no significant basis to support the allegation he had attempted to avoid drug testers.
It has been reported that Allan would fight the allegations he conspired for Whitfield to avoid drug testers if charged and dismiss the credibility of text messages between Whitfield and his former girlfriend.
Allan's legal counsel declined to comment when contacted by AFL.com.au.
