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.
A day after the incident, when additional footage of the play was reviewed the league determined the contact resulted from prior contact between Armour and an opponent.
"We sincerely regret that this officiating error was made and cost Mr. Armour the opportunity to play during last night's game," said CFL Director of Officiating Tom Higgins in a statement the next day. "Our officials are professionals and do a tremendous job, but when a call is missed we take it very seriously and have an internal review system to deal with it appropriately".
Higgins told the Globe and Mail on Tuesday that Chiu was one of seven CFL officials who will be designated to the amateur ranks by Labour Day, reducing the league's officiating staff to 35 from 42.
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.
A day after the incident, when additional footage of the play was reviewed the league determined the contact resulted from prior contact between Armour and an opponent.
"We sincerely regret that this officiating error was made and cost Mr. Armour the opportunity to play during last night's game," said CFL Director of Officiating Tom Higgins in a statement the next day. "Our officials are professionals and do a tremendous job, but when a call is missed we take it very seriously and have an internal review system to deal with it appropriately".
Higgins told the Globe and Mail on Tuesday that Chiu was one of seven CFL officials who will be designated to the amateur ranks by Labour Day, reducing the league's officiating staff to 35 from 42.
