The AFL has let off Collingwood's Alex Fasolo with a formal warning despite the forward being filmed by TV cameras, urinating into a cup during Friday night's pre-season game.
The league accepted Fasolo's explanation that he did not think there was a toilet available near the Magpies' interchange bench at Simonds Stadium.
But the AFL has also warned that if another player tries something similar, he can expect a penalty.
TV coverage of the match against Geelong caught Fasolo having the toilet break.
"The AFL accepted the player's explanation that he believed there was no option for him, with a construction site behind the interchange bench," the AFL said in a statement.
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"He had taken every precaution to be as discreet as possible with the use of a towel to hide his actions from public view.
"It was the AFL's position that, in any future occurrence, visiting players should use the nearby Geelong VFL rooms in the Ford Stand.
"While a warning was sufficient, any repeat conduct would be subject to a sanction."
Earlier on Wednesday, Fasolo was relaxed about the outcome of the AFL investigation.
"It's a bit of a storm in a pee-cup, you might say ... I think everyone is going to be fine," he told Fox Footy.
