Numerous reports surfaced Tuesday that the Kentucky High School Athletic Association had banned post-game handshakes in reaction to numerous incidents in the past several years during the ceremony. The reports, the KHSAA said, were inaccurate.

In a statement issued today, KHSAA Commissioner Julian Tackett said that Tuesday “at best a poorly worded and at worst, an incomplete, notice was sent from me to the member schools regarding postgame activity.”  “Key media outlets and veteran users of social media” almost immediately misinterpreted the notice, Tackett said.

The media attention prompted the Illinois High School Athletic Association to issue a press release stating that the post-game ritual was, and would continue to be, a symbol of sportsmanship in Illinois high school sports.

The KHSAA issued a clarified version of the statement Wednesday that suggests post-game handshakes be supervised by game management and administration staff, who “are solely responsible for what happens after the contest is concluded.” Officials, whose duties end at the conclusion of the contests, are to leave the field immediately or be punished accordingly.

School athletic programs will be penalized for any “unsporting acts immediately following the contest.” Individuals or schools may also be penalized.