NCAA Rules Against USC, Ifeanyi : College football: Committee denies appeal, but more hearings are scheduled.

USC lost an appeal on behalf of football player Israel Ifeanyi, who is being penalized by the NCAA for accepting money from members of his Nigerian tribe.

Monday’s decision by the NCAA interpretations committee is the first of what is expected to be a number of steps taken this week. The confusing case is being heard by several NCAA committees as well as Los Angeles Superior Court.

USC officials said they will appeal Ifeanyi’s two-game suspension to the NCAA eligibility committee, which is expected to meet sometime this week. A telephone conference call has not been scheduled yet.

The first action involved an appeal of the NCAA legislative services staff’s interpretation that Ifeanyi, a defensive end, violated rules by getting about $3,700 from members of his Igbo tribe. Ifeanyi said the Nigerians living in Los Angeles were following tribal customs in helping him as if he were a son.

But the interpretations committee, which handles legislative services appeals, upheld the initial ruling, saying it was concerned with setting a precedent of which others could take advantage.

“The committee was very concerned that you are not supposed to get that type of assistance except [from] those who you are legally or naturally dependent on,” said Steve Mallonee, director of legislative services.

The 10-member committee debated the issue of cultural differences but decided it did not have the authority to deviate from the NCAA’s basic principle of financial aid, officials said. That principle states that athletes are not to receive financial assistance from anyone other than immediate family members.

“Just because their culture is different from ours doesn’t mean it is a violation of NCAA rules,” said Mark Wooster, Ifeanyi’s attorney.

USC officials expressed disappointment in the ruling, but remain confident.

The school is appealing to a second committee because the NCAA has specific procedures to follow for such cases.

Robert Lane, USC’s general counsel, said the interpretations committee overlooked the issue of the cultural differences in denying the appeal, but is hopeful the next committee will not.

Ifeanyi will testify before the eligibility committee, which is being asked to reduce the suspension that was levied last week.

Adding to the confusion, Ifeanyi was granted a court order allowing him to play against Notre Dame last Saturday until his appeals could be heard.

The NCAA and USC are bound by the temporary restraining order through Nov. 2 when a hearing on a preliminary injunction is scheduled before Robert H. O’Brien.

If the eligibility committee upholds the suspension, USC would not be held accountable for any games Ifeanyi played because the court order supersedes the NCAA rulings.

Wooster said it will be up to Ifeanyi to decide whether to pursue the suit if he does not receive a favorable decision this week.

Ifeanyi already has missed the Washington State game because of the situation. He also must make restitution of the $3,700 before the 10th game of the season.

Ifeanyi also missed two other games for his alleged link to sports agent Robert Troy Caron.

“There’s no way of judging what the NCAA will do on a particular instance,” USC’s Lane said. “The NCAA feels they did take [tribal customs] into consideration and levied a mild penalty.

“We think this is a case that cries out for some relief; we’re disappointed we didn’t receive it.”