BREAKING: Bailey Smith has received a two-match ban from the AFL after being found guilty of “conduct unbecoming” in his white powder scandal. 7AFL 7NEWS
midfielder was interviewed by league officials on Tuesday over footage showing the 21-year-old with illicit substances last year.
“The AFL wishes to reiterate that AFL players are well-educated when it comes to the harms associated with the use of illicit substances, and have a responsibility to themselves, their clubs and their professional careers to uphold community expectations,” the AFL said. “We are pleased however that Bailey has assumed unqualified responsibility for the mistake he has made and is intent on learning from it.
Smith told News Corp he turned to partying last year to deal with his mental health issues, including “chronic anxiety”, which were exacerbated by last year’s grand final defeat to Melbourne. “Even now, I haven’t brushed my teeth in two days just because of this stuff. It does hit me, and I do get waves of chronic anxiety and it’s difficult.”Getty Images