Referee decides: Montreal Alouettes DL Shawn Lemon immediately suspended

TORONTO – An arbitrator has reinstated the CFL’s indefinite suspension of Montreal Alouettes defensive lineman Shawn Lemon for sports betting.

The CFL said in a statement that Lemon would remain suspended pending an arbitration hearing, which has been rescheduled for August 1-2.

The league suspended Lemon indefinitely on April 24 for allegedly betting on games, including one in which he participated.

Lemon appealed the suspension in May, which allowed him to report to Montreal’s training camp and play with the CFL team.

Lemon helped the defending Grey Cup champions to a 4-0 opening record, recording six tackles and a sack.

However, with Lemon’s suspension reinstated, he will not be able to play Saturday night when the Alouettes host the Calgary Stampeders.

The suspension came after Lemon announced his retirement, which was a surprise given that he had recently signed a one-year contract extension with the Alouettes after helping them win the Grey Cup.

Lemon, a three-time Grey Cup winner, has played in 154 regular-season CFL games in 13 seasons.

The CFL said a mediation meeting was originally scheduled for Friday following Lemon’s appeal, but the league called for an immediate stay after Lemon requested a postponement of the hearing until early August.

The arbitrator ruled in favor of the league that an immediate suspension pending a hearing was justified and appropriate.