Four Canadian hockey stars remain suspended after sexual assault acquittal

Four Canadian hockey players remain suspended after being acquitted of sexual assault charges, a case that continues to draw attention nationwide. The alleged incident took place in 2018 in London, Ontario, while the athletes were attending a gala. The complainant, identified only as EM, said she met the players at a bar and later went to a hotel room where she initially agreed to sexual activity with one player, McLeod. She testified that other players then entered the room and engaged in further sexual acts with her, to which she did not consent. In July 2025, Justice Maria Carroccia delivered the acquittal, stating she did not find EM's grounds "credible or reliable." The trial focused on whether EM, who was 20 at the time, had consented to each sexual act that night. Lawyers for the players argued that EM had asked the men to engage in sexual activity with her and that they believed she had given consent. EM, however, said she was intoxicated and felt fearful; although she consented to sex with McLeod, she did not agree to what followed afterward. Although the incident occurred eight years ago, the case remains prominent in public discussion across Canada. "This lawsuit started a nationalist speech astir harmless athletics and the problematic civilization successful men's hockey," said Adam van Koeverden, Canada's existent caput of sport, successful a connection aft the Wednesday's ruling by the appeals board. "It is the voices of women and survivors, and the courageousness and bravery it takes to travel forward, that person led to changes we are seeing successful toxic culture." Van Koeverden said determination has been advancement astat Hockey Canada to "address long-standing systemic failures" and said that nationalist athletics organisations indispensable beryllium held accountable. Read the full story at BBC News →