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Stokes suspended by Cats

Geelong have suspended Mathew Stokes until round eight of the AFL season after the forward was charged last week with possession and trafficking of cocaine.

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Geelong have suspended Mathew Stokes until round eight of the AFL season and fined him $5000 after the forward was charged last week with possession and trafficking of cocaine.

Geelong's player leadership group has imposed the sanctions, which also require him to find full-time employment until round four and train outside working hours.

If he is found guilty of trafficking, under the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) code he could receive a lifetime AFL ban.

The club's penalties come after the 2007 premiership forward met last Thursday with the player leadership group.

"These sanctions do not speak to Mathew Stokes' guilt or innocence on the charges issued by the Victoria Police on Wednesday, and will stand regardless of the outcome of those charges," the Cats said in a statement.

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"The penalty does not take into account any possible action under the anti-doping code, as the club does not have jurisdiction in this area."

The club have also demanded that Stokes works with a drug-related community program.

The club stood Stokes down soon after he appeared in court last Wednesday and was released on bail.

He is due to appear in court again on March 12.

In a media statement, Geelong said they determined the punishments under the AFL's code of conduct.

From now until round one of the regular season, Stokes can only train at the club when no other players are there.

From round one until round four, he can only train with Geelong's VFL-listed players.

He will be eligible for VFL selection and can train with their VFL squad from rounds five to seven.

From round eight, Stokes can return to the full senior squad and try to break back into the AFL side.

The Cats say they consulted with their board and the league before accepting the team leaders' recommended punishments for Stokes.


2 min read

Published

Updated

Source: AAP


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