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The CFL (Officially) Sends A Message About Sports Betting, As Lemon Suspension Is Upheld

The CFL initially suspended Shawn Lemon in April, but the former all-star and three-time Grey Cup champion, who had retired before the discipline was announced, un-retired and appealed the decision.

Aug 28, 2024 • 13:14 ET • 3 min read

It took months, but the CFL has finally and officially sent a message to its players that no amount of wagering on its games will be tolerated — and that the punishment for crossing the line will be severe. 

The Canadian Football League announced on Wednesday that an independent arbitrator upheld an indefinite suspension of Montreal Alouettes defensive lineman Shawn Lemon for sports betting-related reasons.

According to media reports, Lemon placed an approximately $100 parlay in 2021 using two CFL games, including one that involved the team he was then playing for, the Calgary Stampeders. 

"We respect the arbitrator's decision and the important precedent that has been established," CFL Commissioner Randy Ambrosie said in a statement. "The integrity of any sport is paramount. Players, fans and anyone associated with our game must be able to believe in the league's fairness of competition."

The CFL initially suspended Lemon in April, but the former All-Star and three-time Grey Cup champion, who had retired before the discipline was announced, un-retired and appealed the decision. Due to the appeal, Lemon could practice and play in games.

Lemon had six tackles and one sack in the four games he played this year. However, at the CFL's request, the suspension was reimposed when an initially scheduled arbitration date in July was postponed until early August. Lemon's appeal of the suspension occurred on Aug. 2 and Aug. 5, according to the CFL. 

"The integrity of the league is of the utmost importance to us, and we respect the independent arbitrator's final verdict," the Alouettes said in a statement. "Since joining the Alouettes on July 24, 2023, Shawn Lemon has been an important part of our locker room and our community. We'd like to thank him for all the contributions he has made to our team over the last 13 months."

The team added that it would not comment further on the matter.

Lemon's suspension is another in a series of punishments handed down by sports leagues when players were caught engaging in forbidden gambling activity. That disciple comes as those same leagues have embraced legal sports betting as a way to boost interest in their games, which can lead to increased advertising revenue. 

More trouble, but more tools

The CFL supported the decriminalization of single-game sports betting in Canada and now counts several sports betting companies as authorized gaming operators, including FanDuel, Neo.Bet, and provincial lottery and gaming corporations, such as Loto-Quebec. 

The CFL also prohibits personnel from wagering on its games and has implemented a match-fixing policy developed by McLaren Global Sport Solutions. In addition, the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport launched an e-learning course last year to help educate CFL players on the policy, although it was not around at the time of Lemon's infraction. 

While the legalization of sports betting has arguably made it easier for players to break the rules, perhaps sometimes unwittingly, it has given leagues more tools to detect misbehaviour as well. 

Notably, the CFL has partnered with Genius Sports Ltd. (which owns a stake in the league's commercial operations), the International Betting Integrity Agency, and the International Olympic Committee's Integrity Betting Intelligence System to help with monitoring the betting markets and uncover any attempted match-fixing. 

"Today's decision upholds that standard and underscores the CFL's position against match manipulation," Ambrosie said on Wednesday.

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Indiana Begins New Football Era With Coach Curt Cignetti Making Debut Against Florida International

Then-Ohio University quarterback Kurtis Rourke (7) looks to pass the ball against Northern Illinois during the second half of an NCAA football game on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023, in Dekalb, Ill. Credit: AP/Kamil Krzaczynski

Florida International at Indiana, Saturday, 3:30 p.M. ET (BTN)

BetMGM College Football Odds: Indiana by 21 1/2.

Series record: Indiana 3-0

WHAT'S AT STAKE?

Indiana starts anew after hiring Curt Cignetti, who has never posted a sub-.500 mark in 13 years as a head coach. He doesn't expect to start now. Sure, the last two Hoosiers coaches (Kevin Wilson and Tom Allen) lost their debut games. And, yes, Indiana lost its final three games last season. So winning Saturday's opener would be a promising start. While the unveiling of Florida International's recently renamed Pitbull Stadium won't take place this week, the Golden Panthers are ready for a fresh start after losing their final four games and seven of their last eight in 2023.

KEY MATCHUP

Indiana's passing game vs. FIU's secondary. Cignetti brought four offensive assistants with him from James Madison to assist in the revamped offense. The presumptive starting quarterback, Kurtis Rourke, seems like a perfect fit in this style with his ability to run and throw. But the Panthers also appear strongest in the secondary where they have two safeties who were second-team preseason all-Conference USA selections.

Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti speaks during an NCAA college football news conference at the Big Ten Conference media days at Lucas Oil Stadium, July 25, 2024, in Indianapolis. Credit: AP/Darron Cummings

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Florida International: LB Reggie Peterson. The fifth-year player had a breakout season in 2023, recording 104 tackles and returning his only interception 61 yards. He was FIU's only first-team selection on the preseason all-conference team and faces a daunting challenge against a bigger, faster foe Saturday.

Indiana: Rourke. The former Ohio quarterback and 2022 Mid-American Conference offensive player of the year might be the most vital of the 30 transfers Cignetti added to the roster. While his dual role is critical to making this offense work, just the possibility of having season-long stability at the position is a major improvement.

FACTS & FIGURES

Indiana is 6-2 against non-power conference foes since the pandemic-shortened 2020 seasons. Both losses came against Cincinnati. ... Florida International's most recent victory over a power conference was over Miami's better-known football power, the Hurricanes, 30-24 in November 2019. ... Indiana is playing its first home game against a non-conference team since 2015. ... ... Panthers QB Keyone Jenkins started the final 11 games last season and finished with 2,414 yards passing, 11 TDs and 11 interceptions. ... Rourke has thrown for 7,651 yards with 50 TD passes and 16 interceptions while rushing for 828 yards and 11 scores in the four previous seasons. His older brother, Nathan, also played quarterback in the NFL and CFL. ... FIU defensive lineman Jeramy Passmore started his career with the Hoosiers. He returned to his home state in 2021.

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