Argo recants racism charge

Argonauts wide receiver Arland Bruce III backtracked Monday on comments he made about CFL officials following Toronto's 33-24 loss to the Montreal Alouettes in Sunday's East final.

Bruce, who accused the referees of being racist and taking bribes, didn't apologize for his remarks. However,he told reporters he didn't believe the CFL was a racist league and that the frustration of continually receiving what he perceived to be unbalanced calls caused him to lash out.

The star receiver, who caught six passes for 48 yards and a touchdown Sunday, unleashed an angry tirade after the game.

"I don't think the referees like Pinball," Bruce said, referring to Argos head coach Michael Clemons, who is black. "I think they are racists. How come there are no black referees in the CFL? They're racists."

Bruce went on to suggest that officials had been tough on Toronto throughout the season, and accused the Alouettes of paying off referees for Sunday's game, though he failed to cite any hard evidence.

"How much did [Montreal's] coach pay the refs, that's what I want to know," Bruce said. "Good luck to them in the Grey Cup. I hope they pay them off there, too. Make another $5,000.

"It's frustrating when you know that you didn't get dominated. They get 14 men — the crowd and the refs. … It's like going to the mall to buy something for $10 that should really be $3."

George Black, the CFL's director of officiating, said the league would look at the comments and "take appropriate action," though he rejected Bruce's allegations.

"I'd deny anything like [racism] exists," he said. "If I thought anyone operated in that fashion I'd fire them in a heartbeat."

Montreal will meet the B.C. Lions in the 94th Grey Cup (CBC, 3 p.m. ET) at Canad Inns Stadium in Winnipeg on Nov. 19.

The Lions rode 29 first-half points to a 45-18 drubbing of the Saskatchewan Roughriders in Sunday's West final in Vancouver.