THE USE of illegal drugs has hit football’s A-league competition with Western Sydney Wanderers star and former Socceroo Mitch Nichols charged with possession of cocaine at a Sydney nightclub.

Nichols, 28, was at Casablanca nightclub in Double Bay in the early hours of last Saturday when police conducted a random drug sweep.

media_camera The moment Nichols is arrested by police. Picture: Gordon McComiskie

Just before 12.30am police located three small clear resealable plastic bags containing about 1.1 grams of a white powder which they believed to be cocaine.

Police allegedly confiscated the drugs and issued Nichols with a field court attendance notice for possessing a prohibited drug. He is due to appear at Downing Centre Local Court on Friday, June 9.

Nichols was told last week that his contract at Western Sydney would not be renewed for next season, and the midfielder is believed to want to try his luck in the European leagues.

media_camera Nichols is due to face court next month. Picture: Gordon McComiskie

media_camera He was allegedly found in possession of three bags of cocaine. Picture: Gordon McComiskie

However any offence would still be within the jurisdiction of Football Federation Australia once his contract expires at the end of this month. All of the Western Sydney players are currently on leave, including those who are being released.

Under FFA’s Code of Conduct, that applies to all registered players, there is a catch-all “bringing the game into disrepute” charge, under which players can be suspended immediately at the discretion of the governing body.

The Code specifically notes that it “continues to apply to a member even after that member’s association, registration, employment or engagement has ended, if that member breached this code while a current member.”

media_camera Nichols was recently told his contract at the Wanderers would not be reviewed.

In effect he could be suspended even without having a contract, though the Code also notes that a player must be given due notice of any potential charge and the right to a fair hearing.

Nichols was released after a disappointing season in which Western Sydney only just made the finals, and were eliminated at the first hurdle.

He won two A-League titles with Brisbane Roar and has played five times for his country, though not since Ange Postecoglou — his former boss at Brisbane — took charge.

media_camera Police allegedly found three resealable bags during the operation at Casablanca nightclub.

media_camera Nichols (right), celebrates after winning the A-League title with Brisbane. Picture: Nathan Richter

A spokesman for the FFA said: “The matter has been referred to the FFA Integrity Department, which has spoken to the club, and will be dealt with under the FFA Code of Conduct,” he said.

The Western Sydney Wanderers Football Club said it is currently working with the FFA regarding the matter.

“The Western Sydney Wanderers remain totally committed to its anti-drugs stance and will continue to reinforce the Club’s zero-tolerance message,” the club said in a statement.

Mitch Nichols career 2007-2009 Australia U-20. Apps 22. Goals 11 2007-2013 Brisbane Roar. Apps 125. Goals 24 2009 Australia. Apps 5 2010-2012 Australia U-23. Apps 5. Goals 2 2013-2014 Melbourne Victory. Apps 14. Goals 3 2014 Cerezo Osaka. Apps 6 2014-2015 Perth Glory. Apps 14 2015-2017 Western Sydney Wanderers. Apps 53. Goals 11

“While Mitch was released by the Club prior to the incident, the player’s wellbeing remains a priority and every support will be offered to him during this time.”

Since its formation in 2005 the A-League has largely escaped major drugs incidents, with only one player failing a test — then-Mariners utility Troy Hearfield, who later served a ban of 15 months after traces of amphetamines were found in his system during a random drugs test conducted by WADA.

Hearfield left the Mariners by mutual consent and never resumed his professional career.