Mizzou fined for storming field upon clinching second SEC East title
The SEC’s rules against field-storming have spoiled yet another monumental win in the conference.
The SEC announced Monday that it has fined the University of Missouri $25,000 for allowing fans to storm the field following its SEC East-clinching win over Arkansas on Friday afternoon.
Mizzou was in violation of the SEC’s “access to competition area” policy, which states fans are not permitted to storm the field/court following any sporting event involving an SEC team. Friday’s violation was Missouri’s second since the start of the 2013 season, warranting the $25,000 fine (the other violation came after Missouri’s win over Johnny Manziel and Texas A&M last season).
According to a media release from SEC spokesman Chuck Dunlap, the policy states “access to competition areas shall be limited to participating student-athletes, coaches, officials, support personnel and properly-credentialed individuals at all times. For the safety of participants and spectators alike, at no time before, during or after a contest shall spectators be permitted to enter the competition area. It is the responsibility of each member institution to implement procedures to ensure compliance with this policy.”
Missouri was fined $5,000 for its first violation in 2013, and will be fined $50,000 for any future violations of the policy at any SEC-sanctioned sporting events.