Collingwood player Sam Murray has been notified of a decision by the AFL Anti-Doping Tribunal to impose on him an 18-month ban for an anti-doping violation in 2018.

Murray will be eligible to return to football at all levels on February 17 next year and commence training on December 17 this year, having served much of the ban while being provisionally suspended since August 17, 2018.

An explanation of the tribunal’s decision is still to be received by the parties to the matter. Murray has up to 21 days to appeal the ban once an explanation of it is received.

Collingwood will continue to assist Murray as he considers his future but will not be making further comment until an end to the matter has been reached.