Arbitrator reinstates Alouettes DL Lemon suspension ahead of August hearing

Lemon helped the defending Grey Cup champions start the season 4-0, recording six tackles and one takedown.

However, due to Lemon’s suspension being reinstated, he will not play on Saturday night when the Alouettes host the Calgary Stampeders.

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

Lemon, a three-time Grey Cup winner, appeared in 154 CFL regular-season games over 13 campaigns.

The CFL said an arbitration hearing was originally scheduled for Friday after Lemon filed an appeal. However, the league requested an immediate suspension after Lemon sought to postpone the hearing until early August.

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

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 4, 2024.

Canadian Press