CFL Official Demoted To Amateur Ranks
14/08/2008 02:32
The Canadian Football League has taken action against the official who claimed he saw Calgary Stampeders linebacker JoJuan Armour push down umpire Bill Hagans during an Aug. 2 game against the Saskatchewan Roughriders, according to The Globe and Mail.
The paper reports that line official Henry Chiu was left off referee Jake Ireland's officiating crew list for Thursday night's game between the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Tuesday. Chiu was part of Ireland's crew during the first half of the season.
Chiu's claim resulted in Armour being ejected from the game. Armour told TSN that he accidentally ran into Hagans and knocked him to the ground after he was pushed from behind by a Roughriders player.
"It's the second play of the game," Armour told TSN after his ejection. "You have to be realistic. I have nothing against this guy. It's nonsense."
The Stamps were penalized 25 yards on the play and five plays later, Riders kicker Luca Congi kicked a 12-yard field goal to give the Saskatchewan an early 3-1 lead, who went on to win the game 22-21.
More from TSN.
SWIVEL HIPS SAYS:
I just gained one heck of a lot of respect for Tom Higgins.