五名加拿大冰球运动员因2018年在伦敦安大略州发生的性侵案在法庭被判无罪，但这一判决并未结束他们的处罚程序。[1]法官Maria Carroccia认为受害人证词"不可信且不可靠"。[1]
尽管司法程序已经终结，冰球加拿大的独立上诉委员会近期裁定，Michael McLeod、Dillon Dube、Cal Foote和Carter Hart四人因违反冰球加拿大的行为准则应继续被禁赛。[1]其中Alex Formenton获准立即复职，而其他四人的禁赛期各不相同：Foote的禁赛期至2025年11月10日，Hart至2027年11月10日，Dube至2028年11月10日，McLeod至2030年11月10日。[1]五名运动员被禁止代表加拿大参加国际级比赛，但仍可继续参加美国职业冰球联盟（NHL）比赛。[1]
加拿大体育部长Adam van Koeverden对此表示，"这个案件引发了关于安全运动和男子冰球问题文化的全国对话"。[1]
An independent appeals committee has upheld suspension orders against four Canadian hockey players following their acquittal in a sexual assault case, according to a ruling that maintains restrictions on their international competition while permitting their participation in the National Hockey League.[1] The decision concerns Michael McLeod, Dillon Dube, Cal Foote, and Carter Hart, who were among five players accused in connection with an incident that occurred in London, Ontario in 2018.[1] A court found the players not guilty in July 2025, with Judge Maria Carroccia determining that the complainant's testimony was "not credible and not reliable."[1]
Despite the acquittal, Hockey Canada's independent appeals committee determined that the four players violated the organization's code of conduct and must remain ineligible to represent Canada in international competitions.[1] The suspension timeline varies significantly among the players: Alex Formenton, the fifth accused player, has been cleared to resume duties immediately, while Foote is eligible to return on November 10, 2025.[1] Hart faces a suspension extending to November 10, 2027, Dube until November 10, 2028, and McLeod until November 10, 2030.[1] All five players retain the ability to compete in NHL games despite the international restrictions.[1]
Canadian Sports Minister Adam van Koeverden commented on the case, stating that "this matter has sparked a national conversation about safe sport and the culture issues in men's hockey."[1]