Queen’s Athletics and Recreation announced this week that its football team will forfeit the results of their first two games in the 2014 regular season due to the participation of an academically ineligible player.

“We are profoundly disappointed for our team, our student-athletes, program staff and supporters,” says Leslie Dal Cin, Director, Athletics and Recreation. “We regret very much that this has happened, and the impact it will have on our team. We are committed to supporting the team moving forward and complying with the sanctions as defined by Canadian Interuniversity Sport (CIS) and Ontario University Athletics (OUA).”

Athletics and Recreation verified the eligibility violation on Wednesday, Sept. 10 and reported it immediately to the CIS and OUA. The player was ineligible because he did not meet the course completion requirements in his previous academic year, as per CIS regulations.

Queen’s athletics department continually checks the eligibility of 1,000 student-athletes each year and has done so for more than 15 years with no previous eligibility infractions. Since this isolated but significant error, the athletics department has run manual checks on all teams and have reviewed the system tracking program. No other eligibility flags have come to light at this time.

The Vice-Provost and Dean of Student Affairs will undertake a review of the department’s eligibility processes to ensure that a similar situation does not happen in the future.

“This is a very unfortunate situation, and the players are obviously disappointed. The ineligible player is devastated and has apologized to the team and the athletics department,” says Pat Sheahan, head coach of the Queen’s Gaels football team. “But we stand together as a team and we will put this behind us and focus on the games ahead.”

“I accept the fact that ultimately the responsibility for ensuring I meet the eligibility requirements is mine,” said Brendan Morgan. “I apologize to the athletics department and my teammates for the problems this has caused and the setback it creates for the team’s standing this season. I am devastated by the situation; I wish it had not happened and I wish the team the best for the rest of the season.”

As a result of the eligibility violation, the Gaels’ win against Windsor on Sept. 1 will be removed and will now stand as a loss with the score of 1-0. The Gaels’ 37-30 loss to Ottawa on Sept. 6 will stand with the same game score. All team and player statistics remain in place with the exception of the ineligible player who will not be able to play the rest of the season. Queen’s postseason eligibility is not affected.