BY PERRY LEFKO
sportsnet.ca
The Canadian Football League announced on Wednesday it has hit some players and one head coach in the pocketbook for some controversial hits, comments and gestures in games last weekend.
Toronto Argonauts middle linebacker Ejiro Kuale received a fine for an illegal hit on Winnipeg Blue Bombers quarterback Buck Pierce, in addition to his ejection from the game, last Saturday at Rogers Centre in Toronto.
Kuale hit Pierce well after he had thrown the ball and with what appeared to be leading with the crown of his helmet. The referee, Glen Johnson, determined it to be rough play and intent to injure and ejected Kuale.
Under terms of the collective bargaining agreement between the players and the CFL, player fines cannot amount to more than half a game’s pay. The CFL does not reveal the actual amounts and player salaries are not public.
Kuale’s teammate, rush end Ricky Foley, also received a fine for public comments critical of CFL game officials.
Argo general manager/head coach Jim Barker received a $1,000 fine for public comments critical of CFL game officials. Barker could not understand how Johnson could determine Kuale hit Pierce with the intent to injure and did not feel the player should have been ejected. Unlike its policy with the players, the CFL publicizes fines of general managers and coaches.
Montreal Alouettes defensive back Dwight Anderson received a fine for unnecessary roughness on Saskatchewan Roughriders’ Weston Dressler in a game on Sunday. Anderson appeared to gouge Dressler in the eye.
B.C. Lions defensive back Korey Banks received a fine for unsportsmanlike conduct because of a throat slash gesture in a game on Friday against Hamilton.
Players can appeal the penalty, which would then go through an arbitration process.
