Jeff Long, University of Arkansas vice chancellor and athletics director, said Friday that necessary steps have been taken after third-party video footage of a sideline incident aired on ESPN during the Arkansas-Alabama game last week.
“We are appreciative of the due diligence of the Southeastern Conference and ESPN in response to our request for a review of actions of employees working as part of the television broadcast of the Arkansas-Alabama football game last weekend," Long said. "After conducting a thorough investigation, ESPN acted to address the matter while also revising protocols for future broadcasts. We believe the appropriate steps have been taken and consider the matter resolved.”
The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported that the footage, taken by a third-party contractor during the game Saturday in Tuscaloosa, Ala., was in violation of ESPN policy.
The footage shows Bielema intervening between Alabama offensive lineman Cam Robinson and Arkansas defensive end JaMichael Winston at the end of an interception return by Santos Ramirez in the second quarter.
A portion of the video led to allegations that Bielema flopped to draw a penalty.
ESPN admitted the error in a statement, adding that the incident was "unacceptable" and that the contractor "has been contacted by our legal department to surrender all footage he improperly obtained and remove any and all posts containing it."