CFLPA probing player sanctions

Potential breach of agreement

The CFL Players’ Association says the league is enforcing policies that “may be contradictory to the collective-bargaining agreement.”

That sentiment, part of a media release Wednesday, is in response to Cfl-issued suspensions of players who have been charged with, but not convicted of, a criminal offence.

Most recently, the CFL announced July 30 that it would not approve any contract signed with running back Jerome Messam, who had been charged with voyeurism the previous day. The Saskatchewan Roughriders released Messam after learning of the charge.

On July 18, the Ottawa Redblacks released defensive back Teague Sherman after he was charged with two counts of sexual assault. The league then announced it would not approve a contract submitted by any team that sought to add Sherman, citing its policy on violence against women.

On March 8, the league had voided defensive lineman Euclid Cummings’ contract with the B.C. Lions after it was learned he had been charged with four criminal counts, including sexual assault, in 2017.

In April of 2017, the league banned defensive back Justin Cox after he was charged with assault causing bodily harm. Cox was released by the Roughriders upon being charged. He was subsequently found not guilty, but the Cflimposed ban stood. (Last September, Cox was charged with assault causing bodily harm and assault with a weapon after a separate incident.)

Without citing specific instances, the CFLPA announced that it is “investigating CFL actions against players who have been identified in these cases,” citing a concern “that the CFL office has subjectively and on a case-bycase basis imposed sanctions against these players.”

The statement added: “We acknowledge the seriousness of the circumstances involving a few of our members, and are reminded that CFL players past and present have worked hard to move forward community initiatives that include ending bullying and violence against women.”