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The recent arrest of a Hamilton Ticats linebacker for possession of several pills and vials of steroids prompted some people to ask about the league?s action on this incident. Can the league impose sanction on the player? Unfortunately, the Canadian Football League (CFL) has no power to discipline players involved in similar incidents. Official of the league said that the Collective Bargaining Agreement prohibits them to encroach on the personal activities of the players.
Linebacker Caught With Hundreds of Steroid Pills and Vials for Injection
Last month, Ticats linebacker Jordan Matechuk was arrested by US border officers for possessing different types of steroids. He was released on bail and currently facing several felony charges in a Michigan court. But despite the charges, the football league and the team will not conduct further investigation on the matter.
Ticats head coach Marcel Bellefeuille told the media that they have limited powers because of the CBA. ?There are limitations as to what we can do. It comes down to the collective bargaining agreement and what the league and the players have negotiated. If I felt there was an issue, we?d do whatever we can. I care about the players? health,? Bellefeuille told The Spec website.
CFL Not Investigating
Though steroid use in the league is prohibited, the league?s hand is tied in pursuing a deeper investigation on Matechuk. The incident happened outside of the jurisdiction of the football league. A coach told a newspaper that the case of Matechuk is not related to drug testing or having a positive steroid test. ?He didn?t get caught doing something the league instituted. This happened outside the scope of that,? said Riders coach Greg Marshall, who worked as a defensive coordinator for Hamilton.
The spokesperson of the league disclosed that they are not totally ignoring the case of Matechuk. In fact they are coordinating with the Ticats team about the development of the case. However, a deeper investigation on Matechuk and the entire team is not on their plans. Matt Maychak, the league?s spokesman, said the current drug testing policy of the league serves as an on-going investigation for all players but they could not act beyond that function.
Matechuk?s Involvement in Steroids an Isolated Case
The Hamilton Tiger Cats believes that the case of Matechuk is an isolated one. According to their head coach, the amount of anabolic steroids seized from Matechuk might be used for his personal consumption and not for other illegal activities. But the Ticats team will not let the incident pass without doing something. Matechuk was already released by the team after they learned the incident from the media.
Ticats Not Tolerating Steroid use
The Tiger Cats already assured the public that the use of steroids and other performance enhancing drugs is not tolerated in the team. Other players were also surprised that Matechuk was involved in steroids because there were no signs that he was using it. The linebacker is a hard working guy according to his team mates.
Head coach Bellefeuille said in a statement that the team vehemently opposes the use of performance enhancing drugs. ?They are a serious threat to the health of athletes and the integrity of sport,? he said.
CFL Starts Drug Testing Program
This year, the CFL will implement a stringent drug testing program. At the end of the season, 25 percent of the players will be randomly tested for steroids and it will increase to 35 percent in the next 2 years. The name of first time offenders will not be made public but they will be required to undergo counseling and more frequent tests. A second violation will lead to 3-game suspension. A 1-year ban will be imposed on the third violation and a lifetime suspension will be given to players failing the steroid test for the fourth time.
Linebacker Caught With Hundreds of Steroid Pills and Vials for Injection
Last month, Ticats linebacker Jordan Matechuk was arrested by US border officers for possessing different types of steroids. He was released on bail and currently facing several felony charges in a Michigan court. But despite the charges, the football league and the team will not conduct further investigation on the matter.
Ticats head coach Marcel Bellefeuille told the media that they have limited powers because of the CBA. ?There are limitations as to what we can do. It comes down to the collective bargaining agreement and what the league and the players have negotiated. If I felt there was an issue, we?d do whatever we can. I care about the players? health,? Bellefeuille told The Spec website.
CFL Not Investigating
Though steroid use in the league is prohibited, the league?s hand is tied in pursuing a deeper investigation on Matechuk. The incident happened outside of the jurisdiction of the football league. A coach told a newspaper that the case of Matechuk is not related to drug testing or having a positive steroid test. ?He didn?t get caught doing something the league instituted. This happened outside the scope of that,? said Riders coach Greg Marshall, who worked as a defensive coordinator for Hamilton.
The spokesperson of the league disclosed that they are not totally ignoring the case of Matechuk. In fact they are coordinating with the Ticats team about the development of the case. However, a deeper investigation on Matechuk and the entire team is not on their plans. Matt Maychak, the league?s spokesman, said the current drug testing policy of the league serves as an on-going investigation for all players but they could not act beyond that function.
Matechuk?s Involvement in Steroids an Isolated Case
The Hamilton Tiger Cats believes that the case of Matechuk is an isolated one. According to their head coach, the amount of anabolic steroids seized from Matechuk might be used for his personal consumption and not for other illegal activities. But the Ticats team will not let the incident pass without doing something. Matechuk was already released by the team after they learned the incident from the media.
Ticats Not Tolerating Steroid use
The Tiger Cats already assured the public that the use of steroids and other performance enhancing drugs is not tolerated in the team. Other players were also surprised that Matechuk was involved in steroids because there were no signs that he was using it. The linebacker is a hard working guy according to his team mates.
Head coach Bellefeuille said in a statement that the team vehemently opposes the use of performance enhancing drugs. ?They are a serious threat to the health of athletes and the integrity of sport,? he said.
CFL Starts Drug Testing Program
This year, the CFL will implement a stringent drug testing program. At the end of the season, 25 percent of the players will be randomly tested for steroids and it will increase to 35 percent in the next 2 years. The name of first time offenders will not be made public but they will be required to undergo counseling and more frequent tests. A second violation will lead to 3-game suspension. A 1-year ban will be imposed on the third violation and a lifetime suspension will be given to players failing the steroid test for the fourth time.
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