BIRMINGHAM, Alabama — Civil summonses were issued for LSU Head Coach Lane Kiffin and LSU administrators in a federal lawsuit filed by the Southeastern Conference, court documents show.

The documents, signed on Thursday, say that LSU President Wade Rousse, Athletic Director Verge Ausberry and Kiffin have 21 days to formally answer the SEC's complaint.

The SEC filed the federal lawsuit against LSU, saying LSU's conduct surrounding the ongoing legal fight has harmed the SEC, created a "competitive imbalance," and disrupted student-athletes' expectations.

“College athletics is reserved for students who are actively pursuing an education while competing for their universities,” the suit says. 

Thursday night, Judge William Jorden ruled in favor of several athletes fighting for a fifth year of college eligibility, a direct contradiction of recently implemented Southeastern Conference rules.

The ruling, coming two days before LSU’s season opener against Clemson, ensures the eligibility of multiple LSU football players, including former Cleveland Brown Dae'Quan Wright, former New Orleans Saint Zxavian Harris and former Denver Bronco Blake Cotton. However, how many games those players will be legally eligible for depends on the litigation both federally and in Louisiana.

LSU is set to submit its official 105-man roster on Friday.