A $250,000 financial penalty has been imposed on the University of Texas (UT) as a result of a disruption that occurred during the football contest against the University of Georgia on Saturday. The Southeastern Conference (SEC) announced the sanction on Sunday, following a significant interruption in the third quarter of the match due to fans throwing debris onto the field.
Additionally, UT is obligated to employ all available resources, such as security footage and stadium video, to identify the individuals responsible for hurling objects, in addition to the monetary penalty. Individuals who are identified will be prohibited from attending any Texas Athletics events for the remainder of the 2024-25 academic year.
The university is also required to evaluate and revise its alcohol availability policies and game management procedures. A report that summarizes these endeavors and outlines UT's strategies for preventing similar incidents in the future, while also assuring adherence to conference standards, must be submitted to the SEC.
In a joint statement, UT President Jay Hartzell, Athletics Director Chris Del Conte, and Chairman of the UT System Board of Regents Kevin Eltife expressed their disappointment. They expressed their gratitude for the fan base's enthusiasm, but they also condemned the unsportsmanlike behavior that was evident during the game. They extended their apologies to the University of Georgia community and the SEC officiating crew.
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