ATLANTA — Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr is urging the SEC to take action against LSU if the school moves forward with plans to roster professional athletes this season.

The SEC recently reaffirmed a rule prohibiting member schools from rostering athletes who have declared for a professional draft and failed to properly withdraw, signed a contract with a professional league or team, or appeared on a professional team’s roster.

Violations could result in a fine equal to 50% of that sport’s annual operating budget and a half-season suspension for the head coach.

Carr’s letter to SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey comes after judges in Texas and Louisiana issued temporary restraining orders blocking the SEC and its member schools from enforcing the rule.

Carr said LSU has indicated it plans to roster one or more professional athletes this season. He urged the SEC to consider penalties, including suspending or removing LSU from the conference.

“We reserve the right to use all legal means necessary to protect the University of Georgia, student athletes and the integrity of college athletics,” Carr wrote.

“College sports are for college athletes only, and we are grateful that the SEC has taken swift action to maintain that standard,” Carr added. “However, the rules cannot be ignored or twisted to benefit one coach, one institution, or one program, and we refuse to stand by while that happens.”

Carr is calling on the SEC to take action against LSU.