SAINT-JÉRÔME, Que. — Defensive lineman Shawn Lemon has appealed his sports-gambling suspension and is again with the Montreal Alouettes.
In line with a league supply, Lemon filed his enchantment Monday evening and was on the sector practising Tuesday on the CFL crew’s coaching camp. The supply spoke on the situation of anonymity as neither the league nor CFL Gamers’ Affiliation have divulged particulars of the enchantment.
The CFL indefinitely suspended Lemon on April 24 for betting on league video games, together with one the league says he performed in.
“The Canadian Soccer League Gamers’ Affiliation (CFLPA) has filed a grievance on behalf of Shawn Lemon difficult the Canadian Soccer League’s (CFL) resolution to droop him indefinitely,” the Alouettes mentioned in a press release. “Consequently, Shawn was allowed to affix the Alouettes at coaching camp immediately.
“The crew continues to reiterate its assist for the CFL’s rules on playing and can await the result of the CFL-led investigation. The Alouettes won’t challenge any additional feedback at the moment relating to this example.”
The CFL mentioned an investigation confirmed Lemon wager on video games in 2021 whereas with the Calgary Stampeders however added there was no proof to point video games have been impacted by his wagering.
“The CFL is dissatisfied that the Gamers’ Affiliation would problem a call so basic to the integrity of our league,” CFL commissioner Randy Ambrosie mentioned in a press release. “The league’s guidelines prohibiting CFL-related playing in 2021 have been made abundantly clear to all gamers on the time, but Mr. Lemon knowingly ignored these guidelines.
“The prohibition of wagering on the CFL by CFL personnel, together with gamers, is important to the repute and standing of the league. The CFL will vigorously defend its place on the arbitration listening to.”
However by interesting the suspension, Lemon turns into eligible to renew practising and taking part in till such time as an arbitrator renders a call on his enchantment.
Story continues
The Lemon saga provides to what’s already been a troublesome time for the CFL.
Final week, the league suspended Toronto quarterback Chad Kelly from taking part in within the Argonauts’ two exhibition contests and no less than 9 regular-season video games for violating its gender-based violence coverage. Two days later, Kelly was on the sector in the course of the membership’s rookie camp on the College of Guelph.
After which Friday evening, the CFL Gamers’ Affiliation launched an enchantment in opposition to the CFL for denying it entry to the complete 87-page impartial report following an investigation into allegations of sexual harassment in opposition to Kelly. The union mentioned it acquired an government abstract however requested entry to the complete report as a part of its due diligence of the Kelly ruling, solely to be turned down by the league.
Kelly, 30, the CFL’s excellent participant final season, wasn’t in gear and did not practise. Following the exercise, Toronto GM Mike (Pinball) Clemons mentioned Kelly’s presence was throughout the situations of the CFL’s self-discipline however a league spokesman mentioned Kelly was on the sector on the Argos’ discretion.
Toronto opened coaching camp Sunday with out Kelly, asserting the quarterback wouldn’t be taking part in crew actions.
The CFL’s suspension adopted an impartial investigation commissioned by the league right into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach in opposition to Kelly for sexual harassment and the membership for wrongful dismissal.
Lemon, a three-time Gray Cup champion, introduced his retirement two weeks earlier than the league introduced his suspension regardless of signing a one-year extension with Montreal in the course of the low season.
The 35-year-old from Charleston, S.C., helped Montreal defeat the Winnipeg Blue Bombers 28-24 in final yr’s Gray Cup. The Alouettes went 12-4, together with the playoffs, after signing Lemon, who had 26 tackles, 9 sacks, two interceptions and one pressured fumble in 13 regular-season video games. He additionally earned his one hundredth CFL sack final season.
This report by The Canadian Press was first revealed Could 14, 2024.
The Canadian Press
