The SEC is fining the University of Arkansas for a violation of the league’s access to competition area policy, due to fans entering the court following last night’s men’s basketball win against Auburn University.
According to an official announcement from the Southeastern Conference, Arkansas will incur a fine of $250,000 for a third offense under the league’s access to competition area policy. Arkansas was last fined for a violation following its football game against Texas in September 2021. Prior to that, the UA received a fine in 2014 after fans stormed the field following the Hogs’ 17-0 win over LSU.
The policy, which was originally adopted in 2004, states that “access to competition areas shall be limited to participating student-athletes, coaches, officials, support personnel and properly-credentialed individuals at all times. For the safety of participants and spectators alike, at no time before, during or after a contest shall spectators be permitted to enter the competition area. It is the responsibility of each member institution to implement procedures to ensure compliance with this policy.”
Fines paid by schools for violation of the access to competition area policy are deposited into the SEC Post-Graduate Scholarship Fund. Institutional penalties range from $50,000 for a first offense to fines of up to $100,000 for a second offense and up to $250,000 for a third and subsequent offenses.
Photo: SEC Nation/ESPN
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