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CFL looking into possible discipline from melee that followed Lions-Alouettes game

TORONTO — The CFL says it's determining whether suspensions are warranted after a past-game melee followed Saturday night's contest between the B.C. Lions and the Montreal Alouettes.
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B.C. Lions' Sean Whyte (10) celebrates with teammates Carl Meyer, (17) and Micah Awe (3) after kicking the winning field goal during second half CFL football action against the Montreal Alouettes in Montreal, Saturday, July 5, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes

TORONTO — The CFL says it's determining whether suspensions are warranted after a past-game melee followed Saturday night's contest between the B.C. Lions and the Montreal Alouettes.

Tempers flared on the field following the Lions' 21-20 win at Molson Stadium. Lions linebacker Kemoko Turay and Montreal defensive lineman Isaac Adeyemi-Berglund appeared to be at the centre of the altercation, which drew players — including some who weren't in uniform — from both sides, resulting in additional pushing and shoving.

After the incident, Adeyemi-Berglund said a B.C. player had attempted to go into Montreal's locker room.

The incident capped a controversial ending to the contest.

Montreal went ahead 20-18 on Jose Maltos's 24-yard field goal with 28 seconds remaining to play. But Alouette Pier-Olivier Lestage received a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty afterwards, forcing the home team to kick off from its 15-yard line instead of the 30.

With the return, B.C.'s offence took possession at its 43-yard line with 17 seconds remaining. The Lions drove to Montreal's 49-yard line with 3.7 seconds to play but opted to run one more play rather than have veteran kicker Sean Whyte try the 56-yard field goal.

According to the CFL website, Whyte's career-best field goal is 55 yards, registered in 2017 while with Edmonton.

So Lions quarterback Nathan Rourke hit Jevon Cottoy on a 13-yard completion, with Cottoy being ruled down with 0.2 seconds left. However television replays appeared to show the clock starting a bit late on the snap and also after the play ended, showing no time left.

Whyte, 39, then ended the game with a dramatic 43-yard field goal.

The CFL said Monday referee Tom Vallesi and his crew made the right call on Cottoy's reception, a decision that was corroborated by the league's replay centre, formerly known as the command centre.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 7, 2025.

The Canadian Press

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