Ursuline High School canceled its varsity football home game scheduled for Friday vs. Farrell (Pa.).

The cancellation comes after a civil rights lawsuit was filed Tuesday in federal court against the school, its principal and assistant principal, head football coach Dan Reardon, two assistant coaches, the Catholic Diocese of Youngstown and 11 football players and their parents.

The lawsuit alleges that during a more than week-long football camp trip in June out of the state, “several football players engaged in criminal activity, including hazing, physical and sexual abuse, kidnapping, production and dissemination of child pornography, and theft, all of which the three football coaches who attended the trip knew before, during, and after the incidents.” It also alleges that school administrators “engaged in their own misconduct and failed to take the appropriate actions to address the misconduct and protect the victims” after learning of the alleged incidents.

According to 21 WFMJ, attorney Subodh Chandra of the Chandra Law Firm, which is representing the plaintiffs, said more alleged victirms or witnesses have come forward since the filing of the lawsuit.

Farrell head football coach and athletic director Amp Pegues told 21 WFMJ that he was notified of the game’s cancellation by Reardon via a phone call after the Ursuline board of directors made its decision.

Ursuline released a statement Thursday evening.

“The safety and well-being of our students is Ursuline High School’s top priority,” the statement reads. “Ursuline parents can and should feel confident that their sons and daughters are in a safe environment every day. To that end, we want to highlight the steps we’ve taken in regard to the allegations about the football program.

“After the students and coaches returned from the trip in question, one family made a formal report to the school alleging misconduct. Once informed, Ursuline’s administration timely opened an investigation. Immediately thereafter, Diocesan representatives and local authorities were notified of the allegations. Both Ursuline and the Diocese of Youngstown continue to cooperate fully with the authorities’ investigation, which is ongoing. Both out of concern for the identity of minors and at the request of the police, Ursuline has not discussed the allegations in public.

“Disciplinary actions against some students most directly involved were imposed under Ursuline policies. Other students involved voluntarily left the football program or Ursuline entirely before discipline could be imposed. Further administrative actions will be communicated once the investigations and legal process are complete.

“In the meantime, an increased chaperone presence and mandatory training reviews are in place to further protect student safety.

“The Ursuline Board has decided to cancel the game against Farrell scheduled for September 5th.”