The Alabama High School Athletic Association has informed Saraland City Schools that Saraland High School is not in violation of any of its bylaws, according to the Saraland Superintendent.
The AHSAA had been investigating claims about a violation of player eligibility rules. The inquiry was triggered after Spanish Fort High School received unsolicited information suggesting a Saraland player may have been ineligible, and the school’s principal requested the association look into the matter, Baldwin County Schools confirmed.
Lawsuit Filed Against Accusers
The investigation unfolded as the Saraland City Board of Education filed a lawsuit against John Quinnelly Senior and Eric Winberg, a private investigator. According to court documents, the school board claims Quinnelly hired Winberg and directed him to stalk and harass the family of a 15-year-old child, and that Quinnelly made false and malicious statements attacking the student.
Quinnelly is also accused of making allegations that Saraland City Schools violated Alabama’s competitive bid laws, knowing the statements were false or intentionally misleading, and that the high school football coach and the school were in violation of player eligibility rules.
In July, the Board of Education’s counsel delivered a cease and desist letter to Quinnelly regarding what the board described as defamatory and libelous statements.
With the AHSAA’s finding that no bylaws were broken, Saraland’s football team will play Friday night in the 6A playoffs, hosting Wetumpka.