BOCA RATON, Fla. – Florida Atlantic head coach Lane Kiffin has been levied a $5,000 fine for criticizing the referees after his team's 36-31 home loss to Marshall.
"Conference USA has specific rules and standards regarding sportsmanship which have been adopted by our membership," Commissioner Judy MacLeod said in a statement released Sunday. "We have an obligation to enforce our rules, including the prohibition of public criticism of officiating."
Kiffin's fine comes two days after the Owls were penalized nine times for 90 yards during Friday's losing effort.
The third-year FAU coach turned to social media Saturday night to express his feelings about the officiating during the game.
@ConferenceUSA pic.twitter.com/C1B3GT9ODz
— Lane Kiffin (@Lane_Kiffin) October 20, 2019
"I just lost $5,000 for a tweet," Kiffin told ESPN. "We have freedom of speech, but I guess around here there's no such thing as freedom to tweet."
The loss snapped a four-game winning streak for the Owls after a 0-2 start to the season.