TonyK
CibbuanoCats ban Stokes until round eight
February 8th 2010 05:54
GEELONG has imposed a raft of sanctions on premiership forward Mathew Stokes after he was charged with possessing and trafficking one gram of cocaine last week, including banning him from AFL action until round eight.
The club's leadership group decided on the sanctions after a meeting with Stokes last Thursday.
The sanctions are:
- Stokes has been suspended from consideration for selection in the club's AFL team until round eight.
- From Monday February 8 until round one of the AFL season, Stokes can train at the club only when no other players are present.
- From round one to round four of the AFL season, Stokes can train with the club's VFL listed players only.
- From round five to round seven to of the AFL season, Stokes can train with the VFL squad and will be eligible to play in the VFL.
- From round eight, Stokes will be eligible to train with the full squad and for selection in the club's AFL team.
- Stokes will be fined $5,000, the maximum sanction under the AFL player's code of conduct.
- Between now and round four of the AFL season, Stokes is to find full time employment and conduct any training out of working hours.
- Stokes is to establish a relationship with a drug-related community program and assist with that program on an on-going basis.
"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.
"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 stood Stokes down after he appeared in Geelong Magistrates' Court last Wednesday. He was released on bail and will reappear in court on March 12.
If the 25-year-old is found guilty of trafficking he could be banned from AFL football for life.
Geelong will make no further comment on the matter until after its dealt with in court.
The club's leadership group decided on the sanctions after a meeting with Stokes last Thursday.
The sanctions are:
- Stokes has been suspended from consideration for selection in the club's AFL team until round eight.
- From Monday February 8 until round one of the AFL season, Stokes can train at the club only when no other players are present.
- From round one to round four of the AFL season, Stokes can train with the club's VFL listed players only.
- From round five to round seven to of the AFL season, Stokes can train with the VFL squad and will be eligible to play in the VFL.
- From round eight, Stokes will be eligible to train with the full squad and for selection in the club's AFL team.
- Stokes will be fined $5,000, the maximum sanction under the AFL player's code of conduct.
- Between now and round four of the AFL season, Stokes is to find full time employment and conduct any training out of working hours.
- Stokes is to establish a relationship with a drug-related community program and assist with that program on an on-going basis.
"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.
"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 stood Stokes down after he appeared in Geelong Magistrates' Court last Wednesday. He was released on bail and will reappear in court on March 12.
If the 25-year-old is found guilty of trafficking he could be banned from AFL football for life.
Geelong will make no further comment on the matter until after its dealt with in court.
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