Central Coast and Troy Hearfield have agreed to mutually terminate the midfielder’s contract, amidst reports he failed a drug test.
Central Coast and Troy Hearfield have agreed to mutually terminate the midfielder’s contract, amidst reports he failed a drug test.
News Limited reports on Friday say the 25-year-old failed a test early last month, with traces of a recreational drug found.
It’s understood Hearfield faced a tribunal two weeks ago and is awaiting his penalty, which could span from anywhere between one to five years.
Hearfield is believed to have first denied taking the drug, before changing his story and admitting it soon after.
The former Newcastle Jets and Wellington utility has made 115 A-League appearances across his three clubs, winning a title with the Jets back in 2008.
Hearfield is the second A-League player to fail a drugs test since the competition’s inception eight years ago.
Former Socceroos winger Stan Lazaridis also tested positive while playing for Perth Glory, for taking a prescription alopecia medication.
Lazaridis was handed a one-year ban although the drug found in his system has since been withdrawn from the banned list.
The Mariners, who finished the regular season in second position, have the opening weekend of the finals series off before hosting the highest-ranked winner from week one on Sunday week.
