It was a fine-filled weekend in the Southeastern Conference, which hit the University of Tennessee with a $100,000 tab after fans stormed the Neyland Stadium field following the Vols' win Saturday over Alabama.
AB Today reported Monday on the $250,000 fine the SEC levied against conference newcomer Texas, after fans littered the field at Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium with water bottles and other trash during the third quarter of the Longhorns' game against Georgia. But apparently, the league isn't stopping there.
It was a fine-filled weekend in the Southeastern Conference, which hit the University of Tennessee with a $100,000 tab after fans stormed the Neyland Stadium field following the Vols' win Saturday over Alabama.
AB Today reported Monday on the $250,000 fine the SEC levied against conference newcomer Texas, after fans littered the field at Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium with water bottles and other trash during the third quarter of the Longhorns' game against Georgia. But apparently, the league isn't stopping there.
Related: University of Texas Releases Statement on Fan Behavior Following Georgia Game
According to CBS Sports, the SEC will require the University of Texas to identify and punish fans involved in Saturday's chaotic scene, which stemmed from what fans perceived to be a bogus defensive pass interference penalty. The game was stopped for several minutes before play resumed and Georgia continued its progress toward a 30-15 victory.Â
As reported by Chip Patterson of CBS Sports, the SEC is mandating Texas is "to use all available resources, including security, stadium and television video, to identify individuals who threw objects onto the playing field." The SEC then requires that those fans found at fault shall be prohibited from attending Texas athletics events for the rest of the 2024-25 academic year, and that the school undergo a review of its alcohol availability policies.Â
The conference also offered a reminder to the school that it can suspend alcohol privileges at Texas under the league's bylaws, but is choosing not to do so at this time.Â
"The throwing of debris and resulting interruption of play that took place Saturday night cannot be part of any SEC event," SEC commissioner Greg Sankey said in a statement, according to CBS Sports. "The SEC is assigned responsibility by its membership to enforce its sportsmanship and game management policies and these actions are consistent with that oversight responsibility, including the financial penalty and mandated reviews."
As reported by Sports Illustrated, Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian urged fans to use "better discretion" in the future.
"I know that we've got a passionate fan base, and I think that showed Saturday night," Sarkisian said. "I think we all were a little upset in that moment. I just think that we've all got to use a little better discretion in moments like that. We don't want that to be the narrative that that's what DKR is all about. It was too good of a football game for that to be the focal point of it all. I think in the end they got it [the penalty reversal] right."
