The Big 12 Conference has fined UCF $100,000 after fans directed derogatory chants at BYU during Saturday’s football game, and the league has unveiled a tougher conference-wide policy on discriminatory conduct that now includes in-game penalties. The fine will be directed toward student education initiatives.
UCF vs BYU (Credits: ESPN)
Big 12 fines UCF $100,000 over BYU chants
The chants targeted The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, with which BYU is affiliated, during last weekend’s game at UCF. Video shared on social media showed fans chanting an expletive aimed at Mormons before kickoff, and university security removed some fans from the game, which UCF went on to win in overtime.
In its statement, the Big 12 said it recognized the pregame protocols UCF followed and the immediate actions taken during the game, including the removal of some individuals responsible. Even so, the conference was blunt: discriminatory behavior has no place in the Big 12. UCF athletics spokesman Adam Widman said the school would be reviewing its options after learning of the decision.
This is not the first time a Big 12 school has been punished over fan treatment of BYU. The conference fined Oklahoma State $50,000 in February after inappropriate chants during a men’s basketball game against BYU, and Colorado was fined $50,000 a year ago for similar chants at a football game. Colorado State also issued an apology in September after its fans targeted BYU and the church with derogatory chants.
Big 12’s new policy: in-game penalties for discriminatory conduct
Alongside the fine, the Big 12 announced an updated policy with escalating consequences, effective immediately. A confirmed first incident during a game will bring an automatic minimum $100,000 fine and a formal warning, giving the school a chance to address the behavior on the spot.
A second confirmed incident in the same game goes further. It will result in an in-game competitive penalty, such as a 15-yard unsportsmanlike penalty in football or a two-shot technical foul in basketball, and may also bring an additional fine of up to $500,000.
Individuals ejected for discriminatory conduct will also be banned from attending athletic events for the remainder of the academic year and will be subject to their university’s fan or student conduct policies. The message from the league is clear: the consequences now extend beyond the fine sheet and onto the field itself.
Also Read: UCF Stuns No. 2 BYU 39-31 in Double Overtime for First Top-Five Win in Program History | Cincinnati, UCF Lead Top Trolls From College Football Week 8 After Upset Wins
Source: ESPN — read the full story there.
