{"id":612684,"date":"2026-04-18T16:05:17","date_gmt":"2026-04-18T16:05:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/612684\/"},"modified":"2026-04-18T16:05:17","modified_gmt":"2026-04-18T16:05:17","slug":"roughriders-release-wr-arjou-after-suspension-by-cfl","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/612684\/","title":{"rendered":"Roughriders release WR Arjou after suspension by CFL"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>Michelle Berg\/Saskatoon StarPhoenix Saskatchewan Roughriders receiver Ajou Ajou on the field during their last day of training camp at Griffith’s Stadium in Saskatoon. <\/p>\n

Taylor Shire<\/p>\n

Regina Leader-Post<\/p>\n

The Saskatchewan Roughriders<\/a> have released receiver Ajou Ajou after he was suspended by the Canadian Football League for violating of the league\u2019s gender-based violence and harassment policy.<\/p>\n

On Thursday, the CFL announced the suspension of Ajou for two pre-season games and no fewer than six regular-season games for an incident that happened five months ago at a Regina restaurant, on the day of Saskatchewan\u2019s Grey Cup parade and two days after the Roughriders won the CFL\u2019s championship.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn late January, we were made aware of multiple allegations by Ajou Ajou for violating the league\u2019s gender-based violence and harassment policy,\u201d Roughriders general manager Jeremy O\u2019Day told media over a virtual press conference on Thursday. \u201cOnce we received the allegations, we immediately reached out to the CFL league offices to make them aware of the allegations.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe league office then initiated an investigation into these allegations. Once we received the information and the results of the investigation, we decided to release Ajou as this was clearly a violation of our team\u2019s code of conduct and the CFL\u2019s gender-based violence and harassment policy.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe hold our players to a high standard. We don\u2019t tolerate gender-based violence. Our players and our staff are required to complete education for gender-based violence and harassment every single year. This is reinforced multiple times throughout the year.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur expectation is that our players and staff treat people with respect and integrity. These violations clearly did not meet that standard for our organization, and they will not be tolerated.\u201d<\/p>\n

According to the league\u2019s media release, they were made aware of \u201cmultiple allegations in late January and immediately initiated a third-party investigation, which included interviews with Mr. Ajou, multiple witnesses and complainants.\u201d<\/p>\n

The CFL said the investigation revealed that Ajou, 24, was \u201caggressive and unwelcome physical contact with multiple women at a restaurant in Regina\u201d on Nov. 18. No further details on the incident were given and it doesn\u2019t appear any criminal charges were laid.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis happened in the evening at a restaurant,\u201d said O\u2019Day, who noted that the complaint or complaints came from the public and not police. \u201cOur players were out celebrating a Grey Cup championship and it\u2019s very unfortunate that it happened \u2026 It\u2019s not something that we\u2019re going to tolerate or condone.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe hold each other to a high standard. We\u2019re trying to develop a culture that people feel safe in, that people feel respected; a family atmosphere.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis clearly is not what we\u2019re trying to accomplish. So I think that the support that we have from the top down of how we\u2019re going to run this football team is important that we\u2019re all in lockstep and that everyone knows that we\u2019re going to support each other, but we\u2019ve also got to hold each other accountable.<\/p>\n

\u201cHopefully that is a message that the players receive.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ajou has been suspended for two CFL pre-season games and no fewer than six regular-season games.<\/p>\n

Before potentially stepping onto the field with another team, Ajou will now have to go through a reinstatement process that will include at least 15 mandatory counselling sessions with a gender-based violence expert. He must also undergo a psychological assessment with another independent expert before having a meeting with CFL commissioner Stewart Johnston.<\/p>\n

Upon \u201csatisfactory completion\u201d of the reinstatement process, he will be eligible for reinstatement. If he doesn\u2019t satisfactorily complete any step, the CFL said it can modify his discipline.<\/p>\n

\u201cProtecting the safety and well\u2011being of our communities is non\u2011negotiable,\u201d Johnston said in a media release. \u201cOur players are expected to lead with integrity and serve as role models. When improper conduct occurs, our policy is clear, and we will enforce it without exception. It is my hope that Mr. Ajou learns from this experience, and that other players take this unfortunate situation as a reminder of the standards we uphold.\u201d<\/p>\n

The CFL\u2019s gender-based violence policy covers, but is not limited to, \u201cintimate partner violence, physical and sexual assault, verbal abuse, coercive control, as well as the disrespectful and demeaning attitudes that foster violence or the tolerance of such violence.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ajou, a Brooks, Alta. product, was drafted by the Roughriders in the seventh round of the 2024 CFL draft. He played 20 games over two seasons with the team.<\/p>\n

Each year, CFL players, coaches, staff and personnel are required to complete gender-based violence and harassment education. O\u2019Day said Ajou\u2019s time with the Roughriders has come to an end regardless of if he completes the reinstatement process.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe talk about how to handle yourself in the community,\u201d said O\u2019Day. \u201cThe education that we receive for the players during training camp isn\u2019t just based on (the) gender-based violence policy. There\u2019s substance abuse (education). We regularly talk to our players about our expectations of how they act in the community.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is pretty straightforward with the communications with us in how they\u2019re expected to act. Our whole team was probably out that night and the large majority of them understand what it\u2019s like to be in the community and how to handle yourself in the community, and also the expectations that are required to be a professional athlete and how you should be out in the public.<\/p>\n

\u201cDifficult challenge with the combination of celebrating a Grey Cup, but it doesn\u2019t change what our expectations are because we\u2019re celebrating.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s unfortunate that (this happened) and I would say that hopefully it prevents it from happening again. And hopefully it makes people think about the decisions they make and understand that it\u2019s important to be in control yourself all the time and treat people with respect.\u201d<\/p>\n

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