Saad, 24, was delisted by the Saints in November having been banned for taking banned stimulant methylsynephrine, contained in pre-workout drink Before Battle.
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The AFL Tribunal handed Saad an 18-month ban – backdated to August – but ASADA have informed the league they will appeal.
"Under Article 17 of the AFL Anti-Doping Policy, ASADA formally notified the AFL late yesterday that it would appeal the November 26 finding handed down by the AFL Tribunal on the case heard against player Saad on November 6," an AFL statement said.
"Ahmed Saad has been advised of the appeal and the AFL Appeals Board will now sit at a date to be fixed."
VFL footballer Matt Clark was banned for two years after testing positive to a substance found in an energy drink after a game for Frankston in 2011.