LSU Football Self-Imposes One-Year Postseason Ban

LSU has notified the NCAA and SEC that it will be implementing a self-imposed “one-year postseason ban on its football program for the 2020-21 bowl season.”

According to SI.com, the school’s athletic department said it came to the decision after reviewing the NCAA’s rules violations that were discovered during an NCAA Independent Accountability Resolution Process investigation.

"I respect the university’s decision to proactively address NCAA issues from the past," head coach Ed Orgeron said in a statement. 

The ban will be added to penalties already imposed on the program, including a reduction of eight scholarships and a two-year disassociation from receiver Odell Beckham Jr. The department will then have to forfeit four scholarships in each of the next two years. 

News: #LSU adds a self-imposed bowl ban for this bowl season. It will not participate in a bowl game this year if offered. pic.twitter.com/fshNNJjoPk

— Brody Miller (@BrodyAMiller) December 10, 2020

Related: LSU QB Burrow Admits OBJ Cash Handouts Were Real  

The incoming class of 2021 was not affected by these penalties.

"The penalties will not impact the team’s ability to sign the maximum of 25 newcomers a year," Dellenger and Forde wrote. "Recruiting reductions include the elimination of 12.5% of official and unofficial visits, a 21-day reduction of the normal 168 days of allowable off-campus contacts and a six-week ban in communication with prospects."

Related: LSU Students Seek Resignations After Damning Report

The two-year investigation into LSU was related to reported improper use of booster payments, as well as Odell Beckham Jr’s handing out cash to players following LSU’s national championship victory.

The school is going through another investigation which is being handled by a law firm to determine whether school officials mishandled domestic and sexual violence complaints.