The CFL Players Association was concerned enough over the air quality at the annual Labour Day Classic between the Calgary Stampeders and Edmonton Elks on Monday that it “demanded” the players be pulled off the field, the CBC reported Wednesday.
Executive director of the CFLPA Brian Ramsey told CBC’s Kylee Pedersen that the CFL had “broken the agreement” the league made with the players that games would be stopped when air-quality ratings were above seven.
A rating seven or above is considered “high” and triggers a warning from Environment Canada to the general population to “consider reducing or rescheduling strenuous activities outdoors if you experience symptoms such as coughing and throat irritation.”
According to Environment Canada’s Air Quality Health Index, ratings during the game varied between 8-10.
“We expressed our concern to the CFL prior to the game (and) at the start of the game; in fact, we demanded that they remove the players from the field,” Ramsey told the CBC. “Obviously, this is very upsetting for our membership … they were confused as to why the game wasn’t stopped.”
The Stampeders pulled off an exciting comeback win over the Elks, but Ramsey said the players were very aware of how smoky it was during the game.
Associate vice president of communications and public affairs with the CFL Lucas Barrett told the CBC that the air-quality readings the league took before and during the game were rated as moderate.
“Beginning at noon (on Monday), air-quality readings were taken inside McMahon Stadium every 30 minutes until the conclusion of the game,” Barrett said in a statement to CBC. “Each of those readings was shared with the league office, the CFLPA and the two competing teams.”
Air quality has been a common issue over the past few seasons as the number of wildfires across the country has increased.
The Stampeders (4-8) and Elks (2-10) sit at the bottom of the CFL’s West Division.
from Sportsnet.ca
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