An independent arbitrator has upheld the indefinite suspension levied against Montreal Alouettes defensive end Shawn Lemon after an official hearing.
“We respect the arbitrator’s decision and the important precedent that has been established,” CFL commissioner Randy Ambrosie said in a statement.
“The integrity of any sport is paramount. Players, fans and anyone associated with our game must be able to believe in the league’s fairness of competition. Today’s decision upholds that standard and underscores the CFL’s position against match manipulation.”
The independent arbitrator’s decision is binding.
Lemon was suspended indefinitely by the league on April 24 for betting 70 Euros (approximately $100 CAD) on a two-game parlay, including one in which he played. According to the league’s investigation, the wager was placed in 2021 while Lemon was playing for the Calgary Stampeders. There was no evidence any games were impacted by his bet.
“The Alouettes organization has always supported the league’s rules on gambling and will continue to do so. The integrity of the league is of the utmost importance to us, and we respect the independent arbitrator’s final verdict,” the franchise said in a statement.
“Since joining the Alouettes on July 24, 2023, Shawn Lemon has been an important part of our locker room and our community. We’d like to thank him for all the contributions he has made to our team over the last 13 months.”
The 36-year-old, who initially retired this offseason then elected to return, appealed the suspension and played to start the 2024 campaign. In four games played during his appeal, Lemon recorded six tackles and one sack, helping the Alouettes to an undefeated record.
An arbitration date was originally set for July 5 prior to Lemon and his representation seeking an adjournment to August 1-2. The CFL requested an immediate suspension for the duration of the delay, which the arbitrator granted until the hearing was justified and reasonable.
At the time of Lemon’s offence, the CFL did not have a mandatory education course for players in regards to sports betting, as it did for domestic violence and performance-enhancing drugs, though anti-gambling language has always been present in the league’s constitution.
The CFL recently underwent an extensive internal review of its gambling rules, updating language and protocols to reflect the modern era. In May 2023, the league announced a new match manipulation policy developed in partnership with McLaren Global Sport Solutions, as well as a mandatory education course through the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sports.
Players are banned from gambling on league games, betting by proxy, or providing insider information that could be used to wager on games or props. Unlike the NFL, CFL players are allowed to bet on other sports regardless of location or timing.
Prior to Lemon’s offence, there was no public record of the CFL ever issuing a suspension for sports gambling.
The three-time Grey Cup champion has played 152 regular season CFL games with the Saskatchewan Roughriders, Edmonton Elks, Ottawa Redblacks, Calgary Stampeders, Toronto Argonauts, B.C. Lions, and Alouettes, recording 243 defensive tackles, 102 sacks, 30 forced fumbles, and three interceptions.
