The Canadian Soccer League Gamers Affiliation (CFLPA) is expressing considerations after Monday’s Labour Day Traditional between the Calgary Stampeders and the Edmonton Elks at McMahon stadium went forward regardless of smoky air situations.
Brian Ramsay, govt director of CFLPA, instructed CBC Information that the CFL had “damaged the settlement” it made with the CFLPA to halt any on-field actions when air high quality rankings are above 7.
Air high quality readings all through the day in Calgary on Monday oscillated between 8-10 — based on Setting Canada’s Air High quality Well being Index for Calgary — measurements which might be categorized as excessive threat.
“We expressed our concern to the CFL previous to the sport [and] at first of the sport, the truth is, we demanded that they take away the gamers from the sphere,” mentioned Ramsay.
“Clearly that is very upsetting for our membership … they had been confused as to why the sport wasn’t stopped.”
Ramsay mentioned that gamers seen how smoky it was in the course of the recreation, and that they’re conscious of the impression such situations have on their lungs and respiratory programs after exerting themselves for that lengthy exterior.
He added that the CFLPA has reached out to the Occupational Well being and Security Centre in Alberta and that they plan to fulfill with the commissioner of the CFL on Thursday this week.
Lucas Barrett, affiliate vice chairman of communications and public affairs with the CFL, mentioned the native readings they took on the stadium had been constantly rated as average all through the day.
“Starting at midday [on Monday], air high quality readings had been taken inside McMahon Stadium each half-hour till the conclusion of the sport,” Barrett mentioned in an announcement to CBC Information.
“Every of these readings was shared with the League Workplace, the CFLPA and the 2 competing groups.”
Barrett added that this can be a widespread process earlier than and through video games the place there are considerations over air high quality.
“As is the case with all issues, the CFL is comfortable to debate all procedures and practices with our companions on the CFLPA.”
Ramsay mentioned that participant considerations over air high quality isn’t something new, and that it’s a difficulty that has come up repeatedly since 2019 in response to wildfires throughout the nation.
He hopes, nonetheless, that Thursday’s assembly with the CFL will “be sure that this by no means occurs once more.”