The Canadian Football Players’ Association (CFLPA) and the league (CFL) released a zero-tolerance racial discrimination policy statement..The reason for the statement is the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ defensive lineman Garrett Marino’s suspension for racist remarks against the Ottawa Redblacks quarterback Jeremiah Masoli in last Friday’s matchup. .“The CFL and the CFLPA are jointly committed to a policy of zero tolerance of any form of racism or racial discrimination and signified their commitment in writing during the last round of collective bargaining,” said the statement..“We have agreed to strengthen our commitment with urgency by agreeing to further define and agree on all issues arising from that joint commitment so both the CFL and CFLPA and through them, the entire professional Canadian football community will have clarity and certainty moving forward.”.Marino’s illegal low hit took Masoli out of the game and Marino celebrated the hit after being ejected from the game by blowing kisses and flexing his arms..According to Redblacks wide receiver Nate Bear, Marino made racist remarks about “Masoli’s heritage” towards Masoli on the field..Marino got suspended for four weeks and Masoli will miss the next 10-12 weeks from injuries sustained through Marino’s low hit..Both the Roughriders and Marino apologized to Masoli..READ MORE Roughriders and Marino apologize to Redblacks Masoli.The Redblacks coach Paul LaPolice told the Ottawa Sun “If one of our players acted in that total way, I don’t know if he’d still be a Redblack.”.Earlier in the week, Roughrider’s Head Coach Craig Dickenson said Marino was not racist because his fiancee and best friend are black..Dickenson apologized for his racially insensitive comments on Twitter..READ MORE Roughriders coach defends Marino’s four-game suspension, apologizes for racial insensitivity.Masoli called the one-game suspension for racist remarks a “slap on the wrist” and questioned the CFL’s Diversity is Strength motto.
