Ohio State and Michigan will both be fined $100,000 for a violation of the Big 10’s sportsmanship policy after their Rivalry Week matchup led to an ugly postgame scuffle.
The Saturday lunchtime game hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons after police stormed the field and pepper-sprayed players in a bid to calm down the violent scenes.
And it has now been reported by Yahoo Sports that both teams will be hit with a hefty fine, while Ohio State Police also continues its own investigation into the circumstances that led to pepper-spray being deployed by its officers.
It is expected that both teams will not argue the fine and will pay it without any appeals.
The frantic postgame scuffle occurred at Ohio Stadium when Michigan’s players planted their school flag on the field – considered a major sign of disrespect in college football – and Ohio State players physically confronted them.
Several players could be seen attacking each other at midfield, with punches being thrown before things briefly died down.
Violence erupted after Michigan’s shock win over rivals Ohio State on Saturday afternoon
Michigan players appeared to be pepper sprayed by cops in the aftermath of the fight
However, Michigan’s Derrick Moore then re-stoked tensions by planting a Michigan flag on the turf once again.
Ohio State’s Jack Sawyer responded by ripping the flag, and more violence ensued between the two sides.
That was when Ohio State University Police tried to split the two teams up, but ended up pepper-spraying multiple Michigan players, who had to be helped off the field.
It was also reported that at least one officer was transported to hospital, though it was not revealed whether their injuries were related to the effects of pepper spray.
In a statement posted to social media at 5pm ET on Saturday, Ohio State University Police revealed than an urgent investigation had been launched, but blamed the pepper spray not only on its officers but also law enforcement from Michigan.
The decision has now been made to fine both football programs $100k for the postgame scuffle
Michigan defensive end Chibi Anwunah is escorted off the field after being pepper sprayed
Players from Florida and FSU also punched and shoved each other in more ugly scenes
‘Following the game, officers from multiple law enforcement agencies assisted in breaking up an on-field altercation,’ the statement read.
‘During the scuffle, multiple officers representing Ohio and Michigan deployed pepper spray. OSUPD is the lead agency for games & will continue to investigate.’
The shocking scene in Ohio was just the first of multiple fights that broke out across college football on Rivalry Week, most of them sparked by visiting teams trying to plant flags in the logo of the hosts after a win.
Florida did it at Florida State and North Carolina tried it at UNC, while Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian was roundly praised for rushing to midfield to stop his players trying similar after the win over Texas A&M.
