By Ilyas Hussein and Daniella Lopez
Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) has suspended all of its men’s soccer team activities until further notice and has opened an investigation following a report of “serious and concerning behaviour,” the university said in an emailed statement to The Eyeopener on Sept. 4.
The university did not confirm any details surrounding the report or the alleged behaviours.
“A report has been received by the university alleging serious and concerning behaviour. The university is investigating fully and the activities of the men’s soccer team have been suspended until further notice,” read the full original statement.
TMU has since announced the team will play their home opener on Sept. 9 in an emailed statement to The Eye on Sept. 8.
“At this time, based on the investigation to date, the university has determined that the home opener scheduled for Saturday, September 9th can proceed. The university continues to assess and address the situation as appropriate.”
Per the updated statement, “the university is conducting a thorough and independent investigation” into the allegations.
The situation started developing early Saturday morning as the men’s soccer team forfeited both matches on their season-opening weekend against the Laurentian Voyageurs and the Nipissing Lakers.
“Our men’s soccer team will not be able to play this weekend. We will be defaulting the games and if there are any other changes to the schedule, we’ll let you know,” a TMU spokesperson told The Eye on Sept. 2 through email.
As a result of the forfeited matches, the Bold have been given automatic 3-0 losses to both the Voyageurs and Lakers, per the Ontario University Athletics (OUA) regulations. This currently puts them at a 0-2 record—last in the OUA East division—to begin the season.
Any further forfeits from the Bold will result in the same outcome.
TMU said they will be providing no further comment or details regarding the situation until the investigation is completed to protect the “privacy, confidentiality and the integrity” of the investigation.
More to come as the story develops.
This story was updated on Sept. 8 with more information and comment.
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