The University of Missouri announced today that running back Derrick Washington has been permanently suspended from the football program.

He will retain his scholarship as long as he is enrolled in school but will not play football again.

Washington, the team's leading rusher the last two seasons, is facing a felony sexual assault charge in Boone County on June 19.

Washington's attorneys said earlier this week that he "intends to exercise his right to be presumed innocent and defend himself in a court of law."

The Missouri athletics policy does not allow an athlete facing a felony charge to play until the issue is resolved.

This move goes beyond that.