{
  "id": 14817741,
  "title": "Breaking: Cowan handed AFL suspension following illicit substance investigation",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/15/breaking-cowan-handed-afl-suspension-following-illicit-substance",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-15T23:32:29.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "ABC News AU",
    "slug": "abc-news-au",
    "url": "https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-10-16/afl-carlton-blues-lachie-cowan-suspended-two-matches/107273686"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Carlton player Lachie Cowan has been handed a two-match suspension by the AFL due to an alleged incident of using an illicit substance. The league's investigation into the matter found Cowan guilty of conduct unbecoming. As a result, Cowan will miss the first two home-and-away matches of the 2027 season and has been fined $5,000. In a statement, Cowan expressed remorse for his actions, describing them as a wake-up call and thanked those who helped him during the incident. The Blues emphasized that Cowan's wellbeing remains a priority and that he received the necessary medical attention. The AFL stated that the matter met the criteria for a notifiable adverse finding under their illicit drugs policy. Cowan was also required to undergo additional education on illicit substances and their effects, as part of the league's mandate.",
  "summary": "The AFL hands down its sanction to Lachie Cowan following an investigation into his use of an illicit substance last weekend.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "ABC News",
        "title": "Breaking: Cowan handed AFL suspension following illicit substance investigation",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/15/breaking-cowan-handed-afl-suspension-following-illicit-substance-14819652",
        "published": "2026-10-15T23:32:29.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}