BEN Cousins' substance abuse problem may stop him from playing serious football again, but the AFL may have made a formality of that, after yesterday charging the former Eagles captain, premiership player and Brownlow medallist with bringing the game into disrepute.

Cousins has been summoned to appear before the AFL Commission to justify his recent behaviour and explain why he should not be guilty of the offence that could lead to him being suspended, fined or permanently deregistered.

The hearing before the commission is set down for November 19 at AFL House. Cousins at that time is expected to be undergoing drug rehabilitation at a clinic in the US. The AFL has said he would be entitled to appear by video link or to be represented by counsel.

A Perth magistrate recently adjourned a hearing of a charge of refusing to take a blood test against Cousins while he sought the drug treatment.

Cousins was sacked by the Eagles after he was charged by police with possession of an illegal substance and refusing a blood test. The possession charge was dropped later.

Cousins remains on the Eagles' list and speculation has continued that another AFL club would seek to have him nominate for the pre-season draft. That nomination would have to be accepted by the AFL and would be unlikely to succeed. The commission hearing into the charge against Cousins will be heard before the national and pre-season drafts, meaning any attempt to nominate is redundant.

AFL chief executive Andrew Demetriou said the decision to charge Cousins for being "involved in conduct which is unbecoming or likely to prejudice the interests or reputation of the AFL or to bring the game of football into disrepute" was made by the commission at a meeting yesterday.

No announcement was made on whether West Coast would face a sanction for its role in managing Cousins and the broader issue of player behaviour at the club.

Demetriou said the commission had "absolute discretion" and unlimited power to deal with the matter and punish Cousins. The AFL contacted Cousins' father, Bryan, and his manager Ricky Nixon late yesterday to inform them of the action.

Essendon captain and Brownlow medallist James Hird was the most recent person charged under this rule, for making derisive comments about an umpire. He was fined $20,000.