HAMILTON – The Ontario University Athletics (OUA) Appeals Panel has voided the sanctions that were issued by the OUA Discipline Panel against University of Guelph football head coach Stu Lang.
The sanctions stemmed from an incident on October 22, 2012 when a member of the Guelph football staff used a two way radio to communicate with the Guelph bench during a visiting game versus the York Lions. This was in addition to the two lines of communication already provided for verbal contact between the spotters’ box and the sideline. Following a review by the OUA Discipline Panel, Lang was issued a one game suspension to be served in the 2013 football season.
Coach Lang appealed the decision of the Discipline Panel based on breaches in procedural fairness according to the OUA Discipline Policy and on the basis that the Discipline Panel did not properly interpret OUA Football Regulation 6.8.1.
The Appeals Panel concluded that no formal complaint consistent with the mandatory requirements of Section 3 of the OUA Discipline Policy was issued and that Lang did not make a self-disclosure that could trigger a complaint. The Appeals Panel also supported Lang’s interpretation of OUA Football Regulation 6.8.1.
The Appeals Panel decision voids the decision of the OUA Discipline Panel and the one game suspension against Coach Lang has been removed.
The Guelph Gryphons open the 2013 football season at home on August 25th against the Laurier Golden Hawks.
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