PHOTO BY FABIO GALIZIA
The Big 12 Conference fined the University of Central Florida $100,000 after “discriminatory chants” at the Knights’ football game against BYU on Saturday, October 24, according to the conference. And we’re only just hearing about it, so forgive us.
The league announced the fine on Wednesday, October 28. It said the penalty followed a review of “discriminatory chants directed at BYU” during the game at Acrisure Bounce House in Orlando. UCF won the game 39-31 in double overtime over the No. 2 Cougars.
Videos shared on social media appeared to show fans chanting about Mormons, the common name for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which owns and operates BYU. The Big 12’s announcement didn’t quote the chants, but you can hear them for yourself in the video at the bottom of this post.
“Discriminatory behavior has no place in the Big 12,” the conference said. It noted the “pregame protocols followed by UCF” and action taken during the game, “including removal of some individuals responsible for the conduct.” The fine will be “directed toward student education initiatives.”
UCF said, “After becoming aware of the conference’s decision, we will be reviewing our options,” according to ABC News. The university did not say whether it will appeal or pay the fine.
The Big 12 announced new penalties for discriminatory chants on the same day, and the policy took effect immediately. A first confirmed incident in a game brings a minimum $100,000 fine and a formal warning. A second confirmed incident in the same game brings an in-game penalty, such as 15 yards in football or two technical free throws in basketball, and can add a $500,000 fine. Fans ejected for discriminatory conduct are barred from all of the school’s athletic events for the rest of the academic year.
The UCF fine follows others in the conference. The Big 12 fined Oklahoma State $50,000 in February over chants at a men’s basketball game against BYU, and fined Colorado $50,000 last year over similar chants at a football game.
