McGuire calls for drugs shake-up

Collingwood president Eddie McGuire has backed a review of the AFL’s drugs policy in the wake of two Magpie players testing positive to clenbuterol.

Lachie Keeffe and Josh Thomas tested positive to the drug, which helps build muscle and burn fat, following the club’s pre-season trip to New Zealand, and have been provisionally suspended until the return of a `B’ sample next month.

McGuire said he was totally shocked by the news, telling his Triple M radio show Collingwood was “striving to be a drug-free environment”.

“It’s a horrible situation, I understand the boys are completely devastated,” he said.

Four AFL players have now tested positive in the last two years under the league’s anti-doping code.

McGuire said these recent cases meant the time was right for a review.

“Down the track, and today’s not the day … we have to re-address the drug code,” he said.

“The whole world’s changed.”

McGuire said there was no future for the Keefe or Thomas at the club should it be proven they broke the code to gain an advantage.

“My situation on this is if you’re guilty, out you go,” he said.

“If you’re not, we’ll fight for your rights.

“The two players deserve, as is the law, to be treated as not guilty at this stage and that’s the way I’m looking at it and we’ll support the players.”

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