HYATTSVILLE, Maryland (WTVR) - Five football players at a Catholic high school in Maryland are off the team after an incident allegedly involving prostitutes.
According to the Washington Post, two of the boys left school, two others are facing expulsion, and the fifth one had a disciplinary hearing Friday morning.
The principal of DeMatha High School spoke out Friday after the newspaper reported that the players were removed from the program for an incident involving prostitutes at a hotel after the season-opening win in North Carolina. Sources say five players facing disciplinary actions were not starters for the football team.
The newspaper reported that, according to sources, players hired prostitutes using a call service in North Carolina. A parent told the newspaper some players engaged in sexual activity with the prostitutes in a room at the hotel early Saturday morning after the Friday night game.
Dr. Daniel McMahon, the school's principal, issued a news release Friday. He confirmed that 18 chaperones and 65 players went to North Carolina -- and that the school first learned about the alleged incident on Tuesday afternoon.
McMahon wrote that the incident happened after 5 a.m. on Saturday morning.
"The last bed checks were at 1:30 a.m. Saturday morning and the hallways were monitored until after 4:30 a.m.," wrote McMahon. School officials have been investigating the incident since learning about it.
McMahon said five students and their families were notified about possible disciplinary action . Officials with the Archdiocese of Washington, the state of Maryland and the state of North Carolina were also notified, according to McMahon.
McMahon also expressed support for the football coach and others.
"The school stands behind our coach, Elijah Brooks, his staff, the school staff who monitored the trip, and our students. The school community is saddened and hurt by the actions of these few who do not reflect the character of the community,” said McMahon. "We come from a faith tradition that emphasizes that we tell the truth and support one another. I cannot, either legally or morally, speak to any disciplinary matters."
