updated 12:25 p.m. ET Oct. 27, 2005

LAS CRUCES, N.M. - The American Civil Liberties Union of New Mexico has filed a grievance against New Mexico State football coach Hal Mumme, saying he discriminated against a now-released Muslim player by repeatedly questioning him about al-Qaida.

The grievance, filed Tuesday on behalf of former Aggies running back Muammar Ali, also said the football staff required the team to recite the Lord’s Prayer at the end of each practice.

The ACLU, which said Ali does not want to return to the Aggies to play for Mumme, is seeking a public apology from Mumme and disciplinary action against him, and also asked that the school provide diversity training to all students and employees.

Athletic director McKinley Boston confirmed the university had received the complaint. He said the issue will be investigated but indicated there will be no further comment “to ensure the integrity of the investigation.”

The grievance, written by ACLU staff attorney George Bach of Albuquerque, said Mumme questioned Ali repeatedly in July about “Islam and specifically its ties to al-Qaida,” the terrorist organization headed by Osama bin Laden.

Those actions “smack of religious discrimination sufficient to warrant a complete and immediate investigation by the NMSU Office of Institutional Equity,” the ACLU said.

Slide show   Week in Sports Pictures Flying on the hardwood, racing on the rink, getting physical on the gridiron, and much more. more photos

Peter Simonson, the ACLU’s executive director in Albuquerque, said the organization filed the grievance rather than a lawsuit to give the university a chance to deal with the issue internally. He said the ACLU also is considering sending a letter to the NCAA.

The grievance also notes that the Aggies released two other Muslim players, twin brothers Anthony and Vincent Thompson, in August.

MORE FROM COLLEGE FOOTBALL

College football Section Front

Get ready for mass exodus Trash Talk: SEC not all it’s cracked up to be Predictions 101: Ohio State to roll, N.D. to win squeaker Opinion: 10 bowl matchups that would be a treat Bowl Projections: Big Ten blows BCS spot CFT: ‘Worst of the Weak’ — Michigan back at No. 1 CFT: ‘By the numbers’ — McCoy goes for record From Big 12 snub to possible BCS for TCU Idaho AD refuses to board Boise St.-themed plane SEC's season one of contenders and complaints College football Section Front   Add College football headlines to your news reader: