Montreal Alouettes fullback Christophe Normand was arrested by the Sûreté du Québec (SQ) on Thursday on charges of luring a teenage girl for sexual purposes.
The investigation division of the MRC Estrie confirmed that it carried out a search of an Eastman property Thursday morning, through the spokesperson for the Sûreté du Québec (SQ) Stéphane Tremblay.
“The occupant of the premises, Christophe Normand, aged 30, was arrested on charges of luring and incitement to sexual contact,” said the spokesman.
Normand appeared by videoconference during the day and was released. A publication ban protects the identity of the victim since she is a minor.
The Alouettes, with whom the Bromont native has been playing since 2019, reacted by means of a press release in the evening.
“The Montreal Alouettes have taken note of the allegations concerning Christophe Normand, reacted the Montreal organization by means of a press release. The organization takes things seriously and proceeds to collect as much information as possible on what’s next. The Alouettes will not issue any further comment at this time.
In addition, last April, he signed a two-year contract extension with the Sparrows. Normand is a former Laval University Rouge et Or player, with whom he won the Vanier Cup in 2012 and 2013.
These accusations are all the more worrying since Normand, father of two, has been organizing development camps for young footballers since 2018.
Last March, he led training sessions to develop the sports skills of young people aged 11 to 20, in partnership with the Granby Multi-Sports organization.
Additionally, Normand previously held a full-time teaching job at Monseigneur Euclide-Théberge High School in Marieville when the Canadian Football League season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, in 2020. He was responsible for a group of 12 students with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
During the interruption of the activities of the CFL, the Quebecer had also joined the Canadian Armed Forces, as an infantry soldier. He had been the Alouettes’ candidate for the Jake-Gaudaur Veterans’ Trophy, awarded to the Canadian player who best displays the attributes of veterans.
This news is a difficult situation for the “Als”, both on a human and football level, since Normand is recognized as a leader in the locker room and an important element of the offensive unit.
The Montreal team will have some time to digest the potential loss of Normand, since they are currently on leave until September 2, when they will host the Ottawa Redblacks.
After a checkered start to the season – where they won only twice in eight games – the Alouettes recently got back on their feet by winning two games in a row for the first time this season.