Test swap shock: Rioli ‘a mess’, facing four-year ban

Dynamic West Coast Eagles forward Willie Rioli will not take part in tonight’s semi-final against Geelong after he was provisionally suspended accused of tampering with a urine sample.

Other details are scant, with fans yet to be told how Rioli is alleged to have swapped his sample and with what.

The Eagle is said to be in a state of distress.

“At the moment he’s a bit of a mess at the moment, emotionally,” Eagles manager Craig Vozzo said.

“We’re still in the fact-finding process.”

AFL General Counsel, Andrew Dillon, spoke in a press conference on Thursday afternoon.

“William Rioli has been handed a mandatory provisional suspension of an adverse analytical finding of urine substitution,” said Andrew Dillion.

“Rioli will not be eligible to compete in AFL competition sports, including the WAFL.”

The club have released the following statement:

“The club is extremely disappointed that one of our players has been provisionally suspended while a matter is being investigated and it will comply fully and openly with ASADA and the AFL through the process.

“The club is fully committed to supporting Willie during what is a personally distressing time.

“Our primary concern is Willie’s health and welfare.”