Winnipeg Blue Bombers Scout Caught Spying on CFL Rival's Practice

There isn't much about the Canadian Football League that is the same as the National Football League. It's not as popular, the level of play is not quite as good, it's much harder to find their games on American television, and the field size is different.

This isn't to say teams in the CFL don't try as hard to win as NFL teams do. In fact, we now know that CFL teams will break the rules if they think they can get away with it.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are preparing for a game Saturday at Hamilton, Ont. The matchup features a pair of 1-1 teams at this early juncture of the CFL season.

According to TSN, a Winnipeg scout took his preparation for the game a little bit too far. He was caught spying on Tiger-Cats practice in their stadium.

Ron Trentini had his notes confiscated and was escorted from Ivor Wynne Stadium. The Ticats also revoked his credentials for Saturday's game between the two teams.

... "It's totally unethical," said Ticats general manager Bob O'Billovich, according to the Scratching Post with Drew Edwards. "It blows my mind that the guy would be dumb enough to walk into our stadium and take notes and think he wouldn't be recognized."

The Hamilton Spectator notes that Trentini apparently acted alone. At least, that's what the Blue Bombers' story is.

Ross Hodgkinson, the Bombers director of football operations, confirmed Trentini did scouting work for the team, but said he did not have instructions to spy.

"He took it upon himself, without any specific direction as to what was appropriate or not appropriate, to attend what was an open practice with the belief that what he was doing was acceptable and somewhat innocent," Hodgkinson explained.

"Obviously, that's not the case and obviously, that's not something we condone or solicit. We apologized to Hamilton and we'll make sure nothing like this happens again."

Tiger-Cats officials say the CFL has been notified of the incident.

Somewhere, Bill Belichick is smiling.

(The random dude seen above with binoculars is a fan at the BMW PGA Championship, held in England in late May.)