CFL upholds Gass suspension

CFL commissioner Mark Cohon has decided to uphold a one-game suspension given to Edmonton Eskimos linebacker A.J. Gass.

Following a review hearing Monday in Toronto, Cohon ruled that Gass would remain banned from Edmonton's game Saturday against the Saskatchewan Roughriders (CBC, 9:30 p.m. ET).

Gass,who can still choose to havehis case heard by an independent arbitrator,received the one-game suspension without pay on Wednesday afterhe threw an opponent's helmet during a scuffle in Edmonton's 34-32 lossto the Calgary Stampeders on Aug. 4.

The 10-year veteran was ejected from the game after ripping Calgary lineman John Comiskey's helmet from his head and throwing it downfield. Comiskey had come to the aid of teammate Jeff Pilon, who Gass claimed started the melee by grabbing the Eskimos player in the groin area during a pileup.

Linebacker Kenny Onatolu was also ejected from the game for throwing a punch in the altercation, which cost the Eskimos 20 yards in penalties.

"There's no question that number 64 (Calgary's Jeff Pilon) pushed A.J.," Eskimos head coach Danny Maciocia told CBC Sports at halftime. "We've just got to be stronger and walk away from it, but how do you blame the guys for coming to each other's defence?"