The AFL has backed the Cats sanctions of Mathew Stokes that were announced today.

In a statement released shortly after the club announced the penalty, the AFL said:

The AFL has been informed by the Geelong Football Club today of the sanctions it has imposed against player Matthew Stokes.

AFL Football Operations Manager Adrian Anderson said the club had kept the AFL informed throughout and supported Geelong’s handling of the matter.

“The AFL accepts Geelong’s actions and will continue to work with the club and monitor this issue closely,” he said.