Central Methodist University, an NAIA school in Fayette, Missouri, is in the headlines this week for a wild story of what seems to be a sort of fight club within the program that resulted in six suspensions and a player being sent to the hospital.
Now, it sounds like the police are getting involved and players will be facing charges.
Alleged ‘Accountability Arrangement’
According to court documents, a player who was hospitalized after a fight told police that the team had a rule requiring any player who was late to practice to fight another player.
The incident took place on campus on Oct. 9, according to a statement from the university obtained by ABC 17 News. Central Methodist acknowledged that there was an informal “accountability arrangement” among a small group of players.
According to the probable cause statement filed in Howard County, the player the victim was supposed to fight didn’t want to engage beyond “body shots.”
At that point, player Michael Hourel allegedly objected and hit the victim in the face. Others, including player Kamarrion Ferguson, then allegedly joined in hitting the victim as well.
The university said that the injured player received medical care at an urgent care facility.
Six Players Suspended
Ferguson and Hourel were arrested and charged on Tuesday, and Central Methodist initially said that both had been suspended. The school later confirmed that four more players had also been suspended, though it did not name them, and no charges have been reported against the other four.
“The safety and well-being of this student [the victim] is our highest priority. This behavior is unacceptable and inconsistent with our United Methodist heritage and a campus culture grounded in respect and care for others,” the university said in its statement. “Identified participants in the incident have been suspended from the football program indefinitely.”
Central Methodist said that its investigation is ongoing and that it will limit further comment while it continues.
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