REGINA, Saskatchewan (AP) A former Saskatchewan Roughriders player is suing the Canadian Football League, claiming he lost his sense of smell and taste after being hit in the face by a penalty flag.

Ventson Donelson claims he received bruises and a concussion after being hit by the flag thrown by a referee during a game two years ago against the Montreal Allouettes.

Donelson alleges the referee was negligent for throwing a penalty flag that was "weighted down with material other than regular sand." He also claims the flag was "thrown in the general area of the players rather than an unoccupied area of the playing field."

In a statement of claim filed to Court of Queen's Bench Monday, the former defensive back also alleges he lost income and "homemaking capacity."

"The athlete was in his right to make those claims because he was, in fact, injured," said Bob Vespaziani, assistant general manager of the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

"And if he's claiming that it impaired him or whatever, then that's his prerogative and the courts can decide."

Former Cleveland Browns offensive tackle Orlando Brown sued the NFL after referee Jeff Triplette threw his penalty flag and hit Brown's right eye during a Dec. 19, 1999, game against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Brown was ejected from the game and widely criticized after he went to the sideline but returned to the field and pushed Triplette to the ground.

An indefinite suspension by league commissioner Paul Tagliabue was lifted the following March.

Brown's lawsuit, which is still pending, alleged the league failed to properly supervise and enforce rules that flags be properly weighted and thrown in a proper fashion.

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