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UCLA Files Appeal On Muhammad Ineligibility

LOS ANGELES (CBS/AP) -- UCLA has filed an appeal with the NCAA regarding freshman Shabazz Muhammad being ruled ineligible.

Coach Ben Howland said Wednesday that the appeal is expected to be heard on Friday and the school hopes to have a resolution shortly thereafter.

The NCAA ruled last Friday that Muhammad was ineligible to play basketball after violating amateurism rules, leaving the Bruins without their highly touted recruit to start the season.

At the time, athletic director Dan Guerrero said UCLA believed "the decision is incorrect and unjust to Shabazz."

Indiana State v UCLA
LOS ANGELES, CA - NOVEMBER 09: Bassist Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers cheers after performing the national anthem before the game between the UCLA Bruins and the Indiana State Sycamores at Pauley Pavilion on November 9, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. He is wearing a tee shirt supporting ineligible Bruin Shabazz Muhammad. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

Muhammad has been practicing with the team and sat on the bench for the 13th-ranked Bruins' first two games, both wins.

Many fans including Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea have Muhammad's back as he wore a t-shirt during Tuesday nights win against UC Irvine, saying "Free Shabazz Muhammad."

On Tuesday, the Muhammad family released a strong statement on refuting the NCAA claims.

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