A controversial tweet has landed a Montreal Alouette football player two fines and an invitation.
Defensive lineman Khalif Mitchell has been fined undisclosed amounts by the Canadian Football League and the Montreal Alouettes for inappropriate posts on Twitter, including a link to a Holocaust denial video.
He was also urged to visit the Montreal Holocaust Memorial Centre in a press release issued by the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs Thursday.
"We believe Mitchell should also reflect about his ill-informed views on one of the worst crimes against humanity and take time to educate himself through reliable sources about the Holocaust and other genocides that have plagued the world," the group wrote.
CFL commissioner Jeffrey Orridge said Mitchell violated the league's social media policy.
"There is absolutely no place in our league for commentary used to divide or disparage others along the lines of sex, race, religion or sexual orientation," Orridge said in a statement.
"While we acknowledge that players have a right to hold and express their own opinions, in no circumstance do we condone activity or comments that are derogatory or inappropriate, putting the League's reputation in question -- and we feel Mr. Mitchell's recent posts on social media have violated these principles."
Alouettes president and CEO Mark Weightman said the team denounced Mitchell's online posts.
"His postings are disappointing and in no way reflect the opinions and values of the Montreal Alouettes Football Club," said Weightman. "His postings were completely unacceptable and the Alouettes apologize to anyone who was offended by them."
