CHAPEL HILL, N.C., Sept. 22 (UPI) -- North Carolina cornerback Kendric Burney and safety Deunta Williams have been fined and suspended, the NCAA announced Wednesday.
The collegiate sports regulatory body said the grounds were violations of NCAA rules on agent benefits and preferential treatment.
Burney received a six-game suspension and Williams was assessed a four-game penalty. Both must repay a part of their benefits to a charity.
The NCAA said the benefits included trips paid for by a person the NCAA considers an agent.
"We plan to appeal the length of the suspensions," North Carolina Athletic Director Dick Baddour said in a statement. "While I respect the NCAA process, I believe the penalties to be unduly harsh given the individual circumstances in these cases."
