CFL investigating Alouettes' protest

The Montreal Alouettes are searching for an answer, first and foremost. Having their win streak extended would be a bonus.

The Canadian Football League is investigating the Alouettes' protest over their 19-12 weekend loss to the B.C. Lions, the league said Tuesday.

"We are reviewing the events cited by the Alouettes very carefully, speaking with all of the officials involved, including the on-field crew, the supervisor and the replay official," Michael Copeland, the CFL's chief operating officer, said in a statement.

In question is a touchdown scored by Montreal running back Avon Cobourne that was negated late in the fourth quarter, a play which potentially could have tied the game and angered the Alouettes.

The major would have cut B.C.'s lead to one point with the convert still to come.

It was a confusing end to a close game Friday night.

Facing a third-and-one, Montreal gambled. It was close whether the Alouettes had gained the first down, but the officials said B.C. had called a timeout before the play started.

On the next play, Cobourne ran around the left side for an apparent touchdown, but there was a flag on the field. The officials said a whistle had been blown on the field after the stadium supervisor paged officials to stop the play in order to check the game clock to make sure the proper amount of time remained.

The clock was not changed and Montreal went to the line for a third time. This time, Cobourne was stopped short and the ball was turned over to B.C. on downs. The Lions were then able to run out the clock for the win.

"I can understand Montreal's point," Wally Buono, the Lions head coach and general manager, said after practice Tuesday. "The league has issued a statement on it. I think it's best to just leave it at that."

For the protest to be upheld there must be evidence a game official intentionally misinterpreted or misapplied a playing rule, he said.

Once the investigation is complete, the league can decide to refuse the protest.

If the protest is upheld, the game can be awarded to either club or the league could order the game to be replayed in whole or in part, Copeland said.

Copeland said a $5,000 deposit must accompany any protest.