The AFL has confirmed Willie Rioli will be eligible to play AFL from August 20 this season, while also stating the two-year penalty can no longer be appealed.

The definitive conclusion ends an agonising 18-month wait for the premiership Eagle, since he returned the first of two adverse urine samples on August 20, 2019.

The 25-year-old will become eligible to train with the team from June 20.

FULL STATEMENTS BELOW FROM RIOLI, AFL, EAGLES, AFLPA

“The Tribunal found that due to there being substantial delay in the hearing process not attributable to Willie (but rather attributable to ASADA/SIA) the period of ineligibility should be backdated to 20 August 2019 (being the date of the first sample collection) as provided for in the Code,” the West Coast Eagles said in a club statement.

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“Willie will be permitted to return to training from 20 June 2021 (2 months before the expiry of the period of ineligibility) and be eligible to play for the West Coast Eagles or in any AFL affiliated competitions from 20 August 2021.

“While the process in this matter has been long, it has been thorough.

“The AFLPA and West Coast are comfortable that Willie received a fair hearing and thank the appointed Tribunal members for carefully considering the facts presented by Willie’s legal team.”

Rioli’s three-time premiership winning cousin Daniel was quick to share an Instagram tribute in wake of the official announcement.

We do what we do not only because we love it but for our Family... mission isn’t finished 🔜,” he wrote.

Brendan Fevola, who lived with Daniel for two years while the Tiger dated his daughter Mia, shared his joy at the news on Twitter.

“Great news for Willy and the @WestCoastEagles, back playing footy this year,” he wrote alongside the hashtag ‘#rioli’.

SEE THE AFL’S FULL STATEMENT:

The AFL confirms that the AFL Anti-Doping Tribunal has imposed a two-year period of ineligibility on William Rioli of the West Coast Eagles and all relevant appeal rights have now expired.

The tribunal determined that the two-year suspension period would begin from the date of the initial sample collection (i.e. 20 August 2019), meaning it would expire on 20 August 2021 with Mr Rioli permitted to return to training two months prior to that date (i.e. 20 June 2021).

Under strict confidentiality provisions imposed by the WADA Code and the Australian Football Anti-Doping Code, the AFL and other parties were unable to make any public comment in relation to this matter until today.

The Tribunal found that the following three breaches of the Australian Football Anti-Doping Code were proved (largely on admissions made by Mr Rioli):

1. Use of a prohibited method by Mr Rioli, namely urine substitution during the course of the doping control/sample collection process on 20 August 2019;
2. Presence of the metabolite of a Prohibited Substance (namely cannabis) in a sample collected from Mr Rioli on 5 September 2019;
3. Use of a prohibited method by Mr Rioli, namely urine substitution during the doping control/sample collection process on 5 September 2019.

The Tribunal reduced the maximum available period of ineligibility of four years to two years on the basis of the Prompt Admission defence in clause 17.6(c) of the applicable Code, being the maximum available reduction available which the Tribunal considered appropriate in all of the circumstances.

Further, the Tribunal found that there were substantial delays in the hearing process or other aspects of doping control that were not attributable to Mr Rioli and on that basis concluded that the period of ineligibility should run from the date of the initial Sample collection (i.e. 20 August 2019).

The Tribunal was constituted by Justice Murray Kellam (Chair) and members Wayne Henwood and Tim Goodwin.

The AFL acknowledges the support provided to Mr Rioli by his club, the West Coast Eagles, the AFLPA, and his lawyers throughout this process.

WEST COAST EAGLES’, TREVOR NISBETT & WILLIE RIOLI STATEMENTS:

“We are pleased for Willie that this ordeal is now over and he has some clarity around his future,” Nisbett said.

“We look forward to him returning to the club and resuming what is an integral part of his life.

“It has certainly been very challenging for all concerned and what this case has highlighted is the need to continually educate and that the programs in place do not necessarily suit all players.

“Our club would like to acknowledge David Grace QC who handled this matter on our behalf.”

Willie Rioli said: “I am very relieved that this long process has now ended,” he said.

“The stress of waiting for the outcome over a long period of time has been difficult for me and my family.

“I realise I have done wrong things and I have learned from it. I am sorry for letting people down. I am looking forward to putting all this behind me and playing footy again soon.

“I would also like to thank David Grace QC, West Coast Eagles football club, my management & the AFLPA for their support throughout this process.”

AFLPA’S STATEMENT:

AFLPA GM of Legal and Player Affairs, James Gallagher says:

“The AFL Players’ Association is satisfied with the final outcome in this matter under the relevant AFL Anti-Doping Code and is delighted for Willie that he will have the opportunity to resume his AFL career in 2021.

Despite this, the AFLPA is compelled to express its concern at the length of time it took for an outcome to be reached and implores Sports Integrity Australia (SIA) to conduct a review of its processes with a focus on removing unnecessary delays.

The time it takes for an athlete to progress through this system places significant strain on their mental health and wellbeing, as well as that of their family. Identifying ways to expedite the process and taking a more reasoned approach will also help to avoid the potential situation where an athlete is forced to serve a provisional suspension that is greater than that of the final decision of the tribunal. With recent reductions to some penalties under the anti-doping rules, this is now even more paramount.

We wish to acknowledge the outstanding support given to Willie by the West Coast Eagles, AFLPA Accredited Agent John Meesen and David Grace QC, in collaboration with the AFLPA in order to achieve the best result possible for Willie.

We will continue to work together to ensure Willie can make a successful transition back into the AFL environment once he can return to training in June.”