FAYETTEVILLE — A broadcast worker violated employment policy by using a GoPro camera to record footage from the sideline of Arkansas' game at Alabama, according to a statement from ESPN.
The operator, whose name has not been released, shot the footage while operating a parabolic microphone for the ESPN broadcast. Among the footage he recorded was a video that was widely-circulated earlier this week that showed Arkansas Coach Bret Bielema stepping between his players and Alabama offensive lineman Cam Robinson at the conclusion of a play on the Razorbacks' sideline.
Several websites indicated Bielema had "flopped" when touched by Robinson in order to draw a personal foul penalty against the lineman. Bielema denied the accusations and was cleared of any wrongdoing by the Southeastern Conference on Tuesday.
"After a thorough investigation, we determined the conduct of the individual contracted to operate a (microphone) during the Arkansas-Alabama game was unacceptable and in violation of ESPN policy and our rights holder agreements," read an ESPN statement. "He has been contacted by our legal department to surrender all footage he improperly obtained and remove any and all posts containing it.
"We have reviewed and revised existing protocol to protect against this happening in the future."
The operator was also seen using hand signals during the broadcast. Those signals were part of the operator's "normal course of his task," said Keri Potts, ESPN senior director of public relations.
Bielema said Wednesday that the SEC was looking into the incident to determine whether any rules were violated by the broadcast worker. Bielema said there is "concern of being on our sideline and what else may be out there."
Arkansas Athletics Director Jeff Long said in a statement Friday that the Razorbacks are appreciative for swift action by ESPN and the SEC.
“We believe the appropriate steps have been taken and consider the matter resolved," Long said.