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Willie Rioli to stay at West Coast Eagles despite drug charge, doping ban

The Eagles says they will stand by Rioli. (AAP: Richard Wainwright)

AFL club West Coast has confirmed it will not sack troubled forward Willie Rioli.

Earlier this month, the 2018 premiership player escaped a conviction for cannabis possesion.

He had been charged after a sniffer dog at at Darwin Airport detected 25 grams of cannabis in his pants in April.

Rioli has been based in the Northern Territory since his suspension from the AFL for two years for tampering with a urine sample in August 2019.

The 25-year-old is serving the final months of that ban.

Rioli has returned to Perth, but is unable to attend West Coast headquarters unitl June 20.

In a statement, the Eagles said the decision to support Rioli came after consultation with various stakeholders.

"After consulting a range of parties, both internal and external who will be required to assist with a successful return to football, the club's board has determined to continue to support Willie," the statement said.

"He remains unable to return to the club until June 20 and the club is still working on some of the detail around his return."

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