CFL (Non-Bombers) off-season news

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

One thing I don't want to do when discussing these things is to minimize one offence. Harassment should come with consequences and I am glad the league has taking these steps. Full stop.

It does shine a light on some other transgressions which maybe do not have consequences that reflect the severity of the crimes. Gambling on games is treated with a lifetime ban, harassment of women comes with a half season along with therapy and re-education training, but all others are a game or two at best.

To answer your questions, both Kelly and Ajou were suspended for 9 games and, in addition to the suspension, must successfully complete certain training sessions in order to be re-instated by the league. There is no opportunity to complete training or apologize to minimize the suspension. It's all part of it.

These events occur in a weird semi-judicial space were the employer judges the crime and hands out the sentence and rehabilitation requirements, when most employers would simply terminate the transgressor and leave them to the legal system.  Of course the CFL wants to do all they can to handle these issues in house so no fingers can be pointed and no stigma attached to their business practices. Secondary would be helping young men avoid criminal charges on their records.

If Ajou does not accept the accusations he could refuse to take the re-programming sessions and sign with a UFL team and go onto play in the NFL with no repercussions if no charges are ever laid. His only real penalty would be not signing with a CFL team, which may happen even if he takes the training sessions.