TUSCALOOSA, AL — The University of Tennessee has been fined $500,000 after fans stormed the field following the Volunteers' 26-10 victory over Alabama Saturday night at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville.
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The fine, which will be paid directly to the University of Alabama, stems from a violation of the Southeastern Conference's access to competition area policy, which prohibits spectators from entering the playing surface before, during or after a game without proper authorization.
The SEC confirmed the penalty Sunday, noting that its policy now calls for a $500,000 fine for violations involving access to competition areas across all SEC-sponsored sports.
The SEC says its policy is intended to protect players, coaches, officials and spectators from potentially dangerous situations when large crowds enter the playing surface.
Under the rules, schools must restrict access to participating athletes, coaches, officials, support personnel and properly credentialed individuals.
However, the conference does allow schools to establish procedures permitting fans to celebrate on the field once visiting team personnel and game officials have safely exited.
Those procedures must be submitted to the SEC in advance and communicated to fans. Schools that meet all requirements can avoid the prescribed penalty.
The conference also allows Commissioner Greg Sankey to reduce a fine to $100,000 if a school demonstrates that it made a full effort to prevent fans from entering the field, that only a small number of individuals breached the playing area and that interaction with the visiting team was minimal.
Saturday's loss dropped Alabama to 5-2 overall and 3-2 in SEC play, while Tennessee improved to 6-1 overall and 3-1 in conference action.
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