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Cal suspends player for locker room altercation

California has suspended an unidentified football player indefinitely for his role in a locker room altercation earlier this month that sent a freshman walk-on to the hospital.

Fabiano Hale, a running back from Santa Cruz, Calif., suffered a concussion and needed stitches after being punched by a teammate Nov. 1.

The player who attacked Hale will not participate in any team activities and must undergo counseling and perform 25 hours of community service before he will be reinstated, Cal head coach Sonny Dykes said in a prepared statement.

"There is no excuse for what occurred," Dykes said. "We are building a culture of accountability and trust within our football program. Our players understand those expectations and know that they should hold themselves to high standards at all times, whether that's on or off the field or in the classroom. Any violation of that code of conduct will always be taken very seriously."

The player could still face discipline under student campus conduct rules, and campus police is still investigating the incident, the Bay Area News Group reported.

The Golden Bears are 1-9 (0-7 Pac-12) in their first season under Dykes and have not won a game against an FBS opponent since Oct. 13, 2012, which was also their last conference win.

Follow Dan Greenspan on Twitter @DanGreenspan.