The CFL has initiated a review to determine a possible reinstatement for suspended Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly.
The league announced Saturday it has received Kelly’s confidential psychological assessment, a requirement as part of his suspension on May 7, and will complete an examination of the results with the help of experts before making a decision.
Kelly was suspended for Toronto’s two exhibition games and at least its first nine regular-season contests for violating its gender-based violence policy.
Kelly, the league’s outstanding player last season, had to undergo confidential assessments by an independent expert and attend mandatory counselling sessions conducted by a gender-based violence expert. Both had to be completed to the satisfaction of the CFL, which could reinstate Kelly but also modify the discipline.
Both the counselling sessions and assessments must be satisfactorily completed before the CFL will consider Kelly’s reinstatement. The CFL still reserves the right to modify Kelly’s discipline.
It followed an independent investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach against both Kelly and the club.
The Argonauts played their ninth game of the regular season in a 39-25 victory over the Calgary Stampeders on Friday night.
“I don’t know. Once I get some clarity, I would love to talk about it with you guys,” Argonauts head coach Ryan Dinwiddie said when asked about Kelly’s status safter his team’s 39-25 victory over the Calgary Stampeders. “Right now we are focused on the guys that are here and continue to fight and find a way to win football games.”
The CFL’s decision to launch its investigation came after the complainant filed a statement of claim with the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, alleging a pattern of harassment by Kelly, beginning with unwanted romantic advances and escalating into instances of threatening language.
The coach said the Argos did not act when told of Kelly’s behaviour and claims assistant general manager John Murphy said she “opened a can of worms that didn’t need to be opened.”
CFL commissioner Randy Ambrosie said the league’s investigation revealed definite violations of its gender-based violence policy.
“It was important that we performed our due diligence to properly review this matter from all points of view,” Ambrosie said in a statement. “That in-depth investigation found that Mr. Kelly unequivocally violated the CFL’s gender-based violence policy.
“Mr. Kelly’s suspension is the direct result of his behaviour. The addition of mandatory counselling focuses on his need for self-reflection and understanding of his actions. He must take full advantage of this.”
The complainant said she was informed in January her contract with the club would not be renewed. The complainant had joined the franchise in 2018 and said her contract had previously been continually renewed.