Receiver suspended for 2026 preseason and at least six regular-season games; Riders release him within 10 minutes of league announcement

The CFL suspended Saskatchewan Roughriders receiver Ajou Ajou for the 2026 preseason and a minimum of six regular-season games on April 16 for violating the league’s Gender-Based Violence and Harassment Policy. The Roughriders released him within 10 minutes of the league’s announcement.

The ruling followed a third-party investigation into allegations that Ajou “engaged in aggressive and unwelcome physical contact with multiple women” at a Regina restaurant on November 18, 2025 — the day of the Roughriders’ Grey Cup parade.

The Investigation

The CFL said it was made aware of the allegations in late January. The team received the complaint directly from a complainant and informed the league the same day, GM Jeremy O’Day said.

The league’s investigation included interviews with Ajou, multiple witnesses, and complainants. From league notification to ruling, the process took roughly 11 weeks.

No criminal charges have been filed. Regina police confirmed to CBC that they received no report on the incident. The CFL’s Gender-Based Violence and Harassment Policy operates independently of the criminal justice system.

Reinstatement Requirements

Ajou’s reinstatement process requires three steps:

• A minimum of 15 mandatory counseling sessions conducted by a gender-based violence expert
• A psychological assessment by a separate independent expert
• A meeting with CFL Commissioner Stewart Johnston

If Ajou fails to complete any step satisfactorily, the league can modify his discipline.

Roughriders’ Response

The Roughriders issued their release announcement 10 minutes after the league’s ruling.

The Saskatchewan Roughriders do not tolerate gender-based violence or harassment and Ajou Ajou’s actions go directly against the values we hold as an organization,” O’Day said in the team’s statement. “We hold our players to a high standard, one that focuses on integrity and treating people with respect. He failed to meet that standard and is no longer a Roughrider.”

O’Day said the decision to release Ajou was made by the team alone, not at the league’s direction.

“The decision to release him was solely our decision. We did not have any direction on what we were going to do. It was solely a team decision,” O’Day said.

He also ruled out any future return to the club.

“Not with the Saskatchewan Roughriders,” O’Day said when asked whether Ajou could come back if reinstated by the CFL.

O’Day acknowledged most of the roster was out celebrating the Grey Cup victory the night of the incident but said the “large majority” of players handled themselves appropriately.

“Our whole team was probably out that night. Difficult challenge with the combination of celebrating a Grey Cup, but it doesn’t change what our expectations are,” O’Day said. “We’re trying to develop a culture that people feel safe in, that people feel respected. A family atmosphere. This clearly is not what we’re trying to accomplish.”

Commissioner’s Statement

Commissioner Stewart Johnston, who took office as the league’s 15th commissioner on April 24, 2025, said the league enforced its policy without exception.

“Protecting the safety and well-being of our communities is non-negotiable,” Johnston said. “Our 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.”

CFL players, coaches, and staff are required to complete annual training on gender-based violence and harassment, along with training on player code of conduct, match manipulation, concussion protocols, and the league’s drug policy.

Chad Kelly Precedent

Ajou’s suspension follows the same framework applied to Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly in 2024. Kelly was suspended for the entire preseason and a minimum of nine regular-season games for violating the same policy. He completed his reinstatement requirements and is on the Argonauts’ roster entering the 2026 season.

Ajou’s Career

The Roughriders drafted Ajou in the seventh round (59th overall) of the 2024 CFL Draft. The 24-year-old from Brooks, Alta., won the team’s rookie of the year award after catching 20 passes for 307 yards and two touchdowns in 12 games.

He spent time with the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts in 2025 before returning to Saskatchewan in August. He caught 22 passes for 212 yards in eight regular-season games with no touchdowns.

Ajou was placed on the one-game injured list ahead of the Western Final and reactivated for the 112th Grey Cup on November 16. He started the game and caught two passes for 13 yards in the Roughriders’ 25-17 win over the Montreal Alouettes in Winnipeg — his ninth career CFL start.

Across 20 career CFL games, Ajou caught 42 passes for 519 yards and two touchdowns.