The NCAA, which oversees college football, has informed the Michigan football programme that it is looking into allegations of sign-stealing. On Wednesday, NCAA officials also informed the Big Ten Conference of the inquiry.
In a statement, Michigan said that it is working with the NCAA and the conference. “The university is working closely with the NCAA and Big Ten. The game on Saturday won’t be impacted by the current investigation, the institution stated in a statement. “We at the University of Michigan are dedicated to upholding the greatest moral and ethical standards for each and every one of our community members.
This weekend, the unbeaten Wolverines will play Michigan State while still in the state.
The Big Ten said that it has informed Michigan’s prospective opponents about the probe but did not offer any other information.
Dabo Swiney of Clemson criticises the percentage of supporters who bring negativity: “They are a component of the issue.”
“The Big Ten Conference considers the integrity of competition to be of utmost importance and will continue to monitor the investigation,” the organisation stated in a statement.
A Yahoo Sports story claims that Michigan allegedly dispatched individuals to watch games against teams they will be playing soon in an attempt to obtain knowledge on the signs that are used to call plays both on offence and defence.
There are no specific laws in the NCAA rule book that forbid swiping signs. The association does, however, have regulations prohibiting advanced opponent scouting conducted in person. It is possible to classify the alleged sign-stealing conduct as unsportsmanlike behaviour, which the NCAA forbids outright.
A self-imposed three-game suspension was imposed by Jim Harbaugh earlier this season in response to an NCAA investigation over improper communication with prospects.
The NCAA’s committee on infractions rejected a possible negotiated solution addressing Harbaugh’s role in the case based on his cooperation with investigators, thus the case is still pending.
